Orsk Refinery Shutters for 6 Months After Ukrainian Attack

Aug. 13, 2026 @exilenova_plus / Telegram A major Russian oil refinery in the city of Orsk near the border with Kazakhstan has shut down for up to half a year following a Ukrainian drone attack earlier this week, authorities said Thursday. The Ukrainian military said Tuesday it had attacked the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery, located around 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from the border with Ukraine. The refinery has an annual processing capacity of 6.6 million metric tons. “The plant has completely shut down,” said Orenburg region Governor Yevgeny Solntsev. He noted that repairs could take up to six months because shrapnel damaged “key infrastructure” that cannot be repaired due to Western sanctions on imported equipment. “We’re preparing for a worst-case scenario and will have to rely on fuel supplies brought in from outside the region,” Solntsev wrote on Telegram. Solntsev said 80% of the region’s 287 filling stations were currently operational and priority was being given to “emergency and specialized vehicles.” On Wednesday, the governor introduced fuel rationing and an odd-even license plate system at gas stations following the attack. On Thursday, he described the situation at local gas stations as “not simple everywhere, but manageable.” Orenburg is the 16th reported region to face renewed fuel disruptions following a brief period of stabilization in late July that was disrupted by fresh Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure. Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Orenburg , Drones Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Skies Turn Black in Perm Region After Ukraine Reportedly Strikes Oil Pipeline Facility Ukrainian media reports suggested that a Transneft oil pumping station was targeted in the attack in the Ural Mountains region. 2 Min read Ukrainian Drones Strike Industrial Facility in Russia's Bashkortostan The strike, far from the Ukrainian border, is another salvo in Ukraine’s campaign against Russian infrastructure. 1 Min read Ukraine Strikes Russian Early-Warning System in Orenburg – Report A Ukrainian military intelligence source claimed that a drone struck the Voronezh M radar station near the Orenburg capital of Orsk. 1 Min read Russia Unveils New 'Killer Drones' The new weaponry is reportedly capable of intercepting and dismantling enemy drones.