Moscow Acknowledges Production Drop Amid Refinery Drone Strikes

Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Novak attributed the decline to a wave of unscheduled maintenance and repairs required across several key facilities. While the Kremlin continues to prioritize export infrastructure to mitigate losses, the pressure on domestic refining capacity has forced a significant shift in energy policy.

To ensure internal supply, Moscow implemented a ban on jet fuel exports through November 30, following an earlier restriction on gasoline that took effect on April 1. These measures highlight the growing vulnerability of Russia's energy sector as Kyiv targets major assets, including the 300,000-barrel-per-day Yaroslavl refinery. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has characterized these strikes as a necessary response to the ongoing conflict, aiming to disrupt the revenue streams Russia utilizes to fund its military operations.