Key facts
- Russia's crude oil production reached a one-year low in May, averaging 9.009 million barrels per day.
- This output level was 690,000 barrels per day below Russia's OPEC+ production target.
- Ukraine conducted at least 31 strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in May, the highest monthly total since the invasion began.
- Russian crude-processing rates have fallen to their lowest level in two decades as of June.
- Ukraine aims to isolate Crimea by disrupting Russian supply routes, with cargo traffic on a key highway falling 71%.
Russia's crude oil production in May fell to its lowest level in a year, averaging 9.009 million barrels per day, according to data published by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This decline represents a significant drop from April levels and falls 690,000 barrels per day below Russia's target under the OPEC+ agreement.
The decrease is largely attributed to an intensified campaign of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russia's energy infrastructure. In May alone, Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted at least 31 attacks on Russian refineries, oil export terminals, and pipeline infrastructure, the highest monthly total since the start of the full-scale invasion. Kyiv has stated that these attacks are aimed at crippling Moscow's ability to finance the war.
Estimates suggest that Russian crude-processing rates have fallen to their lowest point in two decades as of June. One notable incident occurred on June 11, when a fire broke out at the Afipsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai following a suspected Ukrainian drone strike. This facility is one of the largest refineries in southern Russia.
Beyond direct attacks on oil facilities, Ukraine is also focusing on disrupting Russian logistics. Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, stated that efforts are underway to isolate occupied Crimea by disrupting key supply routes. He indicated that military cargo traffic on a crucial highway connecting Russia with Crimea has decreased by 71% in the past two weeks due to Ukrainian strikes.
Overnight on June 11, multiple explosions were reported across occupied Crimea, with Ukrainian forces reportedly targeting military facilities and damaging several bridges. Russian-installed officials claimed air defenses intercepted 33 drones over Sevastopol, with one civilian injured and some residential buildings damaged, though no critical infrastructure damage was reported by these officials.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian drone units struck nearly 180,000 Russian military targets in May, an increase from April. He highlighted Ukraine's growing technological advantage in drone warfare, stating a 1.5-to-1 advantage in FPV drone operations and the interception of approximately 4,000 Russian Shahed drones. Syrskyi also noted the increasing use of ground robotic systems and mid-range strike systems by Ukrainian forces.