By last week, the evidence of a new and sustained attack against a crucial part of Russia’s economy was impossible to ignore. On Wednesday, a drone hit the Tuapse oil refinery in southern Russia on the Black Sea. Flames from the burning refinery were visible above an inky skyline. Nearby, the airport in Sochi – Putin’s favourite resort, famed for its pebble beaches – was forced to close.

So far this year, Ukrainian drones have struck at least four Russian oil and gas terminals across the country. The attacks are part of a growing asymmetrical campaign by Kyiv to cripple the industry and to deprive Moscow of the billions of dollars in global revenue it uses to fund its war. About half of Russia’s $420bn export earnings last year came from oil.

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[+] Badeendje@lemmy.world 19 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

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[–] Hopfgeist@feddit.de 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Which could very well be the reason they held back in the past; out of consideration for oil and gas prices affecting their Western friends. Now that the biggest friend seems to have abandoned them (likely until November), that consideration is worth a lot less, weighing it against strategic benefits from reducing Russian reserves and income.

[–] MrMakabar@feddit.de 7 points 9 months ago

There are mystery fires in Russian oil and gas facilities since the start of the war.

The difference is that the US has increased oil production a lot and OPEC+ is cutting. So if Russia can export less oil, the likely response from OPEC+ other then Russia is to not cut production as much and cash in. A year ago the EU has banned most oil imports from Russia and that shock is mostly worked through now. Also at -10°C oil stops flowing easily and at below it it starts to freeze. So for a lot of Russian oil infrastructure damage is especially bad atm.