Ukrainian drones halt major Russian oil refinery in Perm for second time this year
A Ukrainian drone strike on Lukoil's refinery in Perm sparked a fire and forced a shutdown, with repairs expected to take up to two weeks. It is the second time this year the plant has been fully halted.
An oil refinery in Perm has suspended operations after a Ukrainian drone strike on the morning of August 21, two industry sources told Reuters. Journalists reported smoke rising over the Lukoil-owned Permnefteorgsintez plant, and the sources confirmed the attack caused a fire.
One of the refinery's primary crude distillation units, accounting for about 40% of its total capacity, has been shut down. A second primary unit, responsible for 34% of capacity, has been idle since July 29. Sources said repairs could take up to two weeks.
Repeated strikes
Ukrainian forces have struck the Perm refinery multiple times since spring 2026. In early May, the plant had already halted operations indefinitely. Permnefteorgsintez is one of Russia's largest refineries, ranking seventh in the country by refining volume.
Repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russia's oil industry have kept the country in a fuel crisis throughout the summer. A new wave of the crisis began in mid-August, with gasoline prices rising and several regions imposing sales restrictions.
