On the night of February 17, 2025, Ukraine launched a successful strike on the Ilsky Oil Refinery, located in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia. The attack involved drones operated by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). These forces targeted two important Russian energy sites, and their operation disrupted crucial infrastructure tied to Russia’s military power.
The strike on the Ilsky Oil Refinery, in particular, was significant. Videos posted by local residents on social media reportedly showed a massive fire at the refinery in the Seversky district. Witnesses described hearing loud explosions around 1:30 a.m. local time, suggesting the severity of the attack. The fire caused severe damage to the refinery, which is a major facility in the region, handling a large volume of oil.
Damage to the Ilsky Refinery
The Ilsky Oil Refinery, one of the biggest in southern Russia, has a capacity to process 6.6 million tons of oil each year. It is a crucial part of the country’s oil infrastructure, supporting both civilian and military activities. The attack caused a blaze that engulfed several oil-refining units. These units are vital to Russia’s overall oil production, and their destruction will likely cause significant disruption in operations.
This was not the first time Ukrainian drones targeted this refinery. In February 2024, Ukrainian forces also attacked the refinery, damaging a major oil refining unit worth around $50 million. With both strikes, Ukraine aims to weaken Russia’s military-industrial complex by hitting oil production and refining operations that supply fuel to the Russian military.
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The facility is not only an important part of the energy supply for Russia’s civilian population but also fuels the country’s military vehicles, planes, and other machinery. By attacking oil facilities like Ilsky, Ukraine aims to limit Russia’s ability to wage war. These kinds of attacks are part of Ukraine’s strategy to disrupt Russia’s military resources, especially those that rely on oil for energy.
Impact on the Kropotkinskaya Oil Pumping Station
In addition to the Ilsky Refinery attack, Ukrainian drones also struck the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, located in the Kavkazsky District of Kuban. The Kropotkinskaya station is an important part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, the largest pipeline system in Russia for transporting oil. The damage caused by the drone strike resulted in the pumping station being temporarily shut down.
As a result, oil is now being diverted and pumped through alternate routes, bypassing the damaged station. The Kropotkinskaya pumping station is a key element in the network that transports oil from the Caspian Sea region to various parts of Russia and beyond. Taking it out of operation means a significant setback to Russia’s ability to manage and transport oil efficiently, further straining the country’s energy operations.
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Ukraine’s Targeted Strategy
Ukraine has long considered Russian oil facilities to be legitimate military targets, as the profits from oil sales fund Russia’s ongoing war efforts. These facilities play a vital role in powering the Russian military and its industrial capacity. By attacking key refineries and pumping stations, Ukraine is trying to cripple Russia’s ability to continue its military operations, making it more difficult for the Russian forces to keep their vehicles and machines running.
Ukraine’s use of long-range drones allows it to strike at these far-off targets without directly engaging Russian forces on the ground. This method of attack is a clear indication of Ukraine’s focus on weakening Russia’s war machine by hitting its economic and military infrastructure from a distance.
The attack on the Ilsky Oil Refinery and the Kropotkinskaya pumping station is another example of the ongoing conflict where Ukraine targets critical infrastructure. This strategy is part of a larger effort to undermine Russia’s military and economic strength, aiming to reduce its capacity to continue fighting.
As of now, the full extent of the damage caused by these strikes is unclear, and it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to these significant blows to its oil infrastructure. The attacks on both sites are a clear message from Ukraine, showing that its efforts to disrupt Russia’s energy resources are continuing.
