A drone strike by Ukraine has led to a significant disruption at Russia’s largest gas processing facility, the Orenburg processing plant. The attack occurred overnight on Sunday, resulting in a fire and substantial damage that forced the plant to cease operations, at least partially. The facility, which is crucial for processing natural gas from both the Orenburg oil and gas field and Kazakhstan’s Karachaganak field, halted the intake of gas from Kazakhstan, according to Kazakhstan’s energy ministry.
Located near the Kazakhstan border, the Orenburg processing plant is operated by the state-owned gas company, Gazprom. Its annual processing capacity stands at approximately 45 billion cubic meters. The extent of the damage remains unclear; officials have not confirmed whether the entire facility is offline or only the section handling Kazakh gas. Regional Governor Yevgeny Solntsev reported that the drone strike specifically targeted a workshop within the plant.
The attack is part of Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to disrupt Russian energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s efforts have intensified, aiming to undermine Russia’s capabilities in the ongoing conflict that has persisted since February 2022. Following this latest assault, Russia’s Ministry of Defense indicated that at least 45 drones were intercepted overnight, including one in Orenburg.
The impact of the strike on Russia’s energy sector is notable. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Russia’s fossil fuel exports have plummeted to their lowest levels since the war began. In August, Russia averaged $637 million in daily fuel exports, marking a 4% decline from the previous month and a dramatic 26% drop compared to September 2024 figures.
Since the summer, at least 18 Russian oil facilities have been targeted. Notably, a drone strike incapacitated a key oil terminal in Crimea, disrupting crude oil production and creating challenges for Russian consumers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed intentions to continue these targeted strikes, describing them as “the most effective sanctions — the ones that work the fastest.”
In a statement on social media platform X, Zelensky reiterated the call for NATO members to cease purchasing Russian oil, emphasizing the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on Russian energy. “There should be zero Russian energy in Europe,” he stated, highlighting that the United States is prepared to supply gas and oil to meet European demands. He also pointed out that Ukraine possesses the necessary infrastructure to support Europe’s energy independence.
This latest drone strike underscores the ongoing conflict’s impact on energy dynamics in the region and reflects Ukraine’s strategic focus on crippling Russia’s energy capabilities as part of its broader military objectives.
