Ukrainian military intel hits major Russian fighter jet fuel supplier

The refinery is a major producer of jet fuel for supersonic aircraft, including the Su-27 and Tu-22MZ.

A series of four explosions was reported by residents of the city of Novokuybyshevsk around 2 a.m. SAMT. According to eyewitnesses the refinery has not completed the installation of protective nets to defend against drone attacks.

The refinery belongs to the Rosneft group. "Its capacity reaches 8.8 million tons of oil per year, making it one of the ten largest in Russia. The refinery produces a wide range of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel and fuel oil, which are essential for transportation and military equipment," Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation wrote earlier on Telegram, emphasizing the refinery's strategic importance in supplying fuel to the Russian military.

It is a major producer of premium RT jet fuel, which is used by both subsonic and supersonic aircraft. 

This is not the first time the facility has been targeted. At least two attacks have been reported in March 2024.

Since January, Ukraine has stepped up its drone strike campaign, hitting eight Russian refineries as well as oil depots and other industrial facilities. According to calculations based on trader data, these attacks have taken out about 10% of Russia's refining capacity. 

At least 27 fuel and energy facilities in 16 Russian regions have been targeted since the beginning of the year.