Aug 26 — Ukrainian attacks on 10 plants disrupted at least 17% of Russia’s refinery capacity, or 1.1 million barrels per day, Reuters counted.

The attacks undermined Moscow’s oil processing and exports, creating gasoline shortages in some parts of Russia. They were carried out in response to Moscow’s advances on the frontlines and its strikes on Ukraine’s gas and power facilities.

The analysts from Reuters suggest that Kyiv’s attacks on Russia’s oil plants are an attempt to raise the stakes in possible peace talks and challenge the narrative that Ukraine has already lost the war with Russia after the US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska.

Reuters analysts also noted that the refinery hits come as Russia’s seasonal demand for gasoline from tourists and farmers peaks.

In July, Russia had tightened its gasoline export ban to deal with a spike in domestic demand even before the attacks. 

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