Russia has launched dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones at Ukraine’s largest oil refinery in an effort to cripple the country’s fuel supply, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said during a speech in Ukraine’s parliament.
Speaking in the Verkhovna Rada, Shmyhal said the Kremenchuk oil refinery alone had been targeted by 69 missiles and around 260 drones since the start of Russia’s campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine’s energy sector with thousands of missiles and drones, including our oil refining industry,” he said.
According to the minister, the Kremenchuk facility was struck by roughly 60 missiles – both cruise and ballistic – in addition to hundreds of drones.
“In total, about 260 drones hit this enterprise. Even more weapons were launched in its direction,” Shmyhal said.
Despite the attacks, Ukraine has managed to stabilize fuel supplies through increased imports, he added.
“In March alone, Ukraine has already imported nearly 250,000 tons of gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied gas,” Shmyhal said, noting that most fuel supply contracts are currently being fulfilled after experiencing some disruptions earlier in the month.
Ukraine currently holds nearly 100,000 tons each of gasoline and diesel in reserve, he said. As of Feb. 1, reserves stood at 64,000 tons of gasoline and 83,000 tons of diesel.
The largest fuel shipments are coming from Poland, Lithuania, Romania, and Greece, though supplies are arriving from more than 10 countries overall.
“The situation with fuel availability is currently under control. The government is in constant contact with fuel retailers and is assisting wherever possible,” Shmyhal said.
Russian forces have repeatedly targeted the Kremenchuk refinery since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, with several large-scale strikes triggering major fires at the facility.
Fuel prices at Ukrainian gas stations have meanwhile begun rising again, partly amid tensions between the United States and Iran.
Fuel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks. Before Feb. 28, diesel in Ukraine averaged about 61–64 hryvnias per liter and autogas around 38–39 hryvnias, while some stations are now listing premium diesel near 82 hryvnias and LPG close to 45.