Ukraine

Energy Markets

Ukrainian prisoners describe torture and sexual abuse they suffered while detained in Russian custody

Former Ukrainian detainees as well as?Ukrainian officials, on Monday, accused Russia of torturing civilian and prisoners of war, keeping them incommunicado, and subjecting?thousands of people still held captive to beatings, shocks, and sexual abuse. Russia has rejected the claims made during a?informal U.N. Security Council Meeting. Its Deputy U.N. representative Maria Zabolotskaya called it "a campaign of disinformation" and claimed that Russian prisoners were being subjected "to torture and degradation, as well as moral and physical abuse." Khuan Levya-Garsiya is still an active member in the Ukrainian military. He claims that his Russian captors tortured him for 1,183 days. "Yes...








Energy Markets

Oil & Gas

Fuel Oil

Sources say that the Russian Tyumen oil refinery stopped operations on July 25, after a drone attack.

Two industry sources confirmed on Tuesday that the?Tyumen?oil refinery in western Siberia stopped oil processing on 25 July following an attack by a Ukrainian drone. The domestic fuel market has been experiencing a worsening shortage since May when Ukraine intensified its attacks on oil refineries to undermine Russia's military efforts. Local Russian authorities said on Saturday that an 'Ukrainian drone attack' sparked the fire at a refinery located more than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), from Ukraine. Sources said that following the attack, a diesel hydrotreater as well as a unit for producing high-octane gas caught fire. The sources declined to...

Oil & Gas

Wall Street Journal, July 28,

These are the top stories from?the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been?verified and we cannot vouch for their accuracy. Johnson & Johnson, a manufacturer of babycare products, has agreed to pay $5.5 Billion to settle outstanding lawsuits alleging that the company's Talc products cause ovarian cancer. The agreement is conditional on 95% participation by the remaining claimants. Iran and Oman have worked to achieve an agreement for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid a lull between fighting between the U.S. -Kuwait Petroleum signed a $16billion pipeline lease agreement with Kuwait Oil, involving the...

Oil & Gas

Seven warehouse workers killed in Russia by Ukrainian drones after fire at Moscow oil depot

Regional governors reported on Saturday that waves of Ukrainian drone attacks killed seven warehouse workers and injured dozens more. Another attack caused a fire to break out at an oil depot within the capital region. Evgeniy Pryshov, the governor of Tambov, said that 25 people were hurt after Ukrainian drones crashed?into the warehouse of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer?in Kotovsk, located 475 km (295 miles) south of Moscow. Pervyshov, a Telegram user, wrote: "Seven night workers died right there on the spot." He added that 28 drones had been?also fired upon as they approached. He said that if they had...

Natural Gas Utilities

Serbia promises aid to Ukraine, but ducks calls for more pressure on Russia

Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Ukraine, said that Serbia would send Ukraine more humanitarian assistance but had not signed a regional agreement calling for more pressure to be put on Russia and for continued security aid for Ukraine. Vucic had earlier met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and taken part in the regional Southeastern Europe - Ukraine summit. It was the first time in more than a decade that a Serbian president visited the Ukrainian capital. Vucic had also participated in the regional Southeastern Europe-Ukraine summit last year. Belgrade has had a long history of close relations with Moscow. It has refused...

Oil & Gas

UK bans two Iranian groups for antisemitic acts in Britain

After a series of antisemitic attacks on British streets, the British government used powers similar to proscriptions in order to combat state-backed threats. This power would effectively ban support for these groups, and give police and intelligence agencies?new powers to combat any threats related to them. Keir starmer, the Prime Minister of Britain, said that "these 'new powers' will make it easier for anyone to be prosecuted and jailed in Britain who is doing their dirty work." Since its establishment in 1979, the IRGC has been an elite military force loyal the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The Islamic...

Oil & Gas

Russian officials claim that a major drone attack on St Petersburg has been carried out by Ukraine.

St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city and the surrounding Leningrad area were hit by a major Ukrainian drone attack over night. A Baltic Sea port which handles oil exports was also reported to have been affected. Alexander Beglov, the governor of St Petersburg, said that the city's?6-million population had been subjected to a "large scale" drone attack. He did not give any details about specific targets but the local media outlet Bumaga reported that there was a fire in the oil terminal of St Petersburg. Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of the Leningrad region, said that drones struck the port of Vysotsk...

Oil & Gas

Sources say that Kazakhstan has agreed to provide 50,000 tonnes of gasoline to Russia

Four industry sources reported on Wednesday that Kazakhstan agreed to provide 50,000 metric tonnes?of fuel to Russia as humanitarian assistance in July and August. Russia has been stricken by fuel shortages, long queues and soaring gasoline and diesel prices over the last few weeks, as Ukraine has attacked Russian energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, to undermine Moscow's funding for war efforts. Sources in the industry have said earlier that Russia began importing gasoline from India. In summer, the?Russians consume at least 110,000 tonnes of gasoline per day. Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine is trying to create discord among the Russians....

Heating Oil

Sources say that Russia purchases gasoline from India in order to combat shortages

Two industry sources confirmed on Wednesday that Russia began importing gasoline by sea from India in an effort to reduce fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks against its energy infrastructure. Fuel shortages have been felt in all 11 time zones of Russia, with long queues and record gasoline prices. The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that Russia is in contact with other nations and discussing the importation of fuel at reasonable prices. The Indian oil ministry and the Russian energy ministry have not responded to requests for comment. A source in the industry said that at least 60,000 tons of gasoline...

Oil & Gas

Zelenskiy: Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery, missile component factory

Ukraine has hit a Russian refinery in Ufa for the second consecutive time, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, said on Wednesday. Kyiv is intensifying its strikes in Russia. "Our plan to impose Ukrainian long-range sanction is being implemented every day," Zelenskiy said, referring the Ukrainian attacks deep within Russian territory. "This is a completely just response to everything Russia does against us." Zelenskiy reported that a strike was also carried out on a Russian military-industrial complex he described as "strategic", located in the Penza area, which he claimed made components for missile weapons used by Moscow to attack Ukraine....

Oil & Gas

Sources: Russian refinery NORSI shut down after drone attack

NORSI, Russia’s fourth largest oil refinery, and the second largest gasoline producer, suspended operations after an?Ukrainian?drone attack on Wednesday. This move is likely to worsen fuel shortages across the country, according to?two sources in industry? on Thursday. Ukraine has said that its campaign of drone strikes against Russian energy installations is aimed at reducing a major source of funding for war and bringing the conflict closer to Russians. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has stated that such attacks on civil infrastructure are meant to create a rift among the populace. Sources said that the attack at NORSI damaged CDU-5,...

Oil & Gas

Radev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, says Bulgaria will not accept new EU sanctions against Russia

Rumen Radev, Bulgaria's Prime Minister, said that the country will veto the latest European Union sanctions package against Russia. This is because they may negatively impact its economy. Also, because their government does not agree with the sanctions against a Russian Bishop. The EU's sanctions list was expanded on Monday by adding a total of?34 people and 47 entities that are linked to Russia’s military and industrial complex. It also includes a shadow fleet?of?oil-and-gas tankers?and others who have been involved in political interference. This includes a Russian Orthodox bishop. Radev said that the operation of Lukoil, the Russian oil company,...

Oil & Gas

Reports from Kommersant state that Russia has authorized refineries to reduce the environmental standards for gasoline to prevent fuel shortages.

Kommersant reported that the Russian government had authorized a few oil refineries to produce fuels at lower environmental standards for the domestic market. This is because the country has been experiencing fuel supply disruptions. According to data collected by, media reports and social media posts have indicated that there are supply disruptions in Russia in a dozen different regions. Only two regions of Siberia, besides the Russian-held Crimea have formally?confirmed these disruptions. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak requested fuel market forecasts in order to avoid problems with fuel distribution and meet domestic demand. Ukraine has been targeting Russian...

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

The US Senate is about to pass sweeping sanctions against Russia's energy sector

The U.S. Senate passed sweeping Russia sanctions legislation by a large majority on Friday. This long-delayed bill was backed by Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in 2013. It now sets the stage for the House of Representatives to consider the measure as early as next month. Graham, a 'South Carolina Republican', was one of Kyiv’s most vocal allies in Congress during its four-year war against Russia. The bill is intended to increase economic pressure upon Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. The measure also includes the expanded sanctions against Iran that President Donald Trump sought as legislators moved to pass...

Fossil Fuels

Governor of Yaroslavl, Russia says that oil refinery is on fire in Russia after a drone attack by Ukraine

The governor of the region, Mikhail Evrayev said that a major refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl area is on fire following a large Ukrainian drone attack. Emergency services are working to extinguish the flames. Images posted on social media that have not been verified show plumes of black smoke rising above the facility. Evrayev stated in a statement on Telegram that the refinery’s storage tanks were struck by falling drone debris. He described this as the largest enemy attack on Yaroslavl to date, located about 250 km (160 mi) northeast of Moscow. "Today, the region successfully repelled the biggest attack by...

Fossil Fuels

Governor of Volgograd says drone attack causes fire at Volgograd energy plant

The'regional governor, Andrei Bocharov said that a drone attack caused a fire at an energy facility in Volgograd, causing five injuries. He did not give any details about the facility. A Lukoil oil refinery is located in the region. Bocharov said on Telegram that five people were seeking medical attention after the attacks. Regional governor Yuri Slyusar posted on a messaging app that a woman was injured in Gukovo after a drone strike. Ukraine recently intensified its attacks on Russian logistic hubs such as those of the top online retailer Wildberries. It also continues to strike energy facilities, which has...

Refined Products

Oil Refineries

Oil Refineries

Officials say that Ukraine killed 13 people, including a child, in a drone attack on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk.

Authorities said that at least 13 people, including a child, were killed and 39 others injured by a Ukrainian drone strike on industrial and civil targets in Nizhnekamsk. This is the highest civilian death toll in Russia for months. According to Russian media, the attack also targeted a major oil refinery in the Tatarstan Region, located about 800 km (497 mi) east of Moscow. In a press release, Russian investigators announced that they had opened a criminal investigation into the attack they deemed a terrorist act. They said that Ukraine struck residential areas in which a child was killed. Radmir...

Crude Oil

Sources: Drone strike on Lukoil refinery damages distillation unit and causes fire.

Two industry sources said on Thursday that a Ukrainian drone attack was responsible for a fire in Lukoil’s Perm refinery, which damaged and forced to shut down one of its crude distillation unit (CDU). Perm Governor?Dmitry Makhonin said on Wednesday that drones had targeted an industrial facility but that the location of the target was not identified. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, said that Kyiv forces have struck several targets in Russia. He claimed that an oil refinery, an export terminal, and a military enterprise were all hit in the Rostov area. Lukoil didn't immediately respond to our request for...

Oil Refineries

Sources say that Russia is seeking more gasoline from India following the Ukraine attack on refineries

Two sources with knowledge of the situation said that top Russian energy companies approached Indian refiners to request more gasoline following Ukrainian strikes which knocked out a large portion of Russia's refueling capacity. India is Russia's largest buyer of seaborne crude oil. Moscow's attempt to secure Indian gasoline represents a reversal of their energy relationship and highlights the impact of the Ukrainian attacks. Moscow is experiencing its worst gasoline shortage. One source with knowledge on the subject said that at least one cargo of Indian gas has already been shipped to Russia. More are expected. Nearly 40% of Russia's refinery...

Oil Refineries

In one of the deepest strikes ever, Ukrainian drones strike Russia's largest refinery.

Kyiv’s military confirmed on Monday that Ukrainian drones had'struck' Russia's Omsk Refinery, located deep in Siberia and the largest refinery in the country. This would have been 'one of the longest ranged' Ukrainian strikes since the beginning of the war. Local Russian authorities also confirmed a strike. Ukraine's General Staff released a statement in which it stated that the strike caused an fire at the Omsk Refinery. The refinery is located around 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles), away from Ukrainian territory, and near the border between Russia and Kazakhstan. Vitaly Khotsenko said that Ukraine attacked the refinery and said that Russian...

Oil Refineries

Ukraine denies Russian takeover of Kostiantynivka, a key eastern city

Ukraine's 'general staff' rejected Russian claims on Saturday that Moscow's forces captured the key eastern city of 'Kostiantynivka. "We ?deny this. "These are fake claims," said a member of the general staff. The General Staff stated that Kostiantynivka remains under Ukrainian control. It said that "military units and subunits of 19th Army Corps" continue to conduct offensive operations on designated lines in the town as well as its approach. The Russian military informed President Vladimir Putin, on Friday, that it had taken control of Kostiantynivka. This strategic target has been sought by Moscow for a long time in its advance...

Oil Refineries

Zelenskiy: Ukraine has hit a chemical and oil plant in Russia

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of X, wrote Sunday that Ukraine had hit a?oil facility?in Russia's Yaroslavl region and a?chemical plant?Azot?in the Tula region?overnight. Zelenskiy stated that the Azot facility was crucial for Russia's explosives manufacturing, and that attacks on Russian military logistics were also conducted in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia. Zelenskiy, who frequently refers to Ukrainian strikes against Russia as "long-range" sanctions, said that Ukraine was executing its plan for?long-range sanctioning Russia and the tasks assigned regarding mid-range attacks in response to Russia's refusal?to end this?"war". Mikhail Yevryaev said that a massive Ukrainian attack on the region had...

Oil Refineries

Officials alter train schedule after drones strike historic museum in Russia annexed Crimea

Local authorities said that Ukrainian drones had hit a 'historic museum' in Sevastopol, in Russia-annexed Crimea. They also reduced the number nighttime trains as a result of the intensifying air strikes. The museum commemorates 1853-1856 Crimea War, which was fought between the Russian Empire (including the Ottoman Empire) and a coalition. In that war, Russia lost. Mikhail Razvozhayev - Sevastopol’s Russian-installed Governor – said via Telegram that the roof of the museum was on fire. He didn't provide any further details on the damage, or if there were casualties. "The enemy will be punished for this sacrilege!" Razvozhayev wrote in...

Oil Refineries

NATO kills drone in Latvian airspace - army

NATO fighter jets shot down on Monday a 'drone' that entered Latvian airspace from Russia, according to the Baltic nation's military. This is the latest incident in a long line of security incidents near Europe's eastern borders. The origin of the drone was not immediately known. In recent months, Ukraine has increased its long-ranged drone attacks against Russia, including the Baltic Sea region, where several Ukrainian military aircraft have entered the airspace of Finland and Latvia. In a social media post, the Latvian army stated that "Allied fighter 'jets successfully shot down a drone which was flying into Latvian Airspace!"...

Oil Refineries

Drone incursions cause chaos and fear along NATO's Baltic border with Finland

The presence of military drones in the airspaces of Finland, Estonia Latvia and Lithuania is raising concerns that the conflict in Ukraine could spill over into NATO's northern border with Russia. Some of Ukraine's drones missed their targets, causing security warnings in neighbouring countries. In the case?Latvia it led to a collapse of government. Here is a timeline of recent drone incidents that have involved Finland and the Baltic States: Two Ukrainian military drones that strayed into Russia enter Estonia and Latvia on March 25. One drone crashes into a chimney near the Russian border at Estonia's Auvere Power Station,...

Oil Refineries

Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy: 'Unfair' proposal for associate EU membership

In a letter addressed to EU leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that a German proposal granting Ukraine "associate membership" of the European Union is "unfair",?because it would leave Kyiv with no voice within the bloc. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that Ukraine could participate in EU meetings, without voting. He said this would be a good interim step towards full membership. Zelenskiy responded in his letter?sent late Friday and reviewed by, stating that the removal of Hungarian prime minister?Viktor Orban, who was a staunch enemy of Ukraine's EU membership, following the elections last month created the opportunity to make...

Oil Refineries

The European Commission has proposed a reprieve from Russia sanctions for dealings with Chinese chip firm

A spokesperson for the European Commission said that it had proposed a nine month derogation on dealings with a Chinese semiconductor company listed in its 20th set of sanctions against Russia. The spokesperson stated that the company, Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic will remain on?European Union sanctions list, but the temporary reprieve?will allow automakers?to find alternative chip suppliers and?avoid?a "severe interruption"?. The EU will need to agree 'unanimously' on the proposed measure for it to come into effect. European automakers have become more dependent on Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic in order to replace products that were previously listed as being made by Chinese...

Oil Refineries

Ukraine repairs massive Trypilska Power Plant before Centrenergo Sale

The head of the State 'Fund' said on Thursday that Ukraine plans to repair the large thermal power plant owned by the state near Kyiv, after Russian airstrikes, and prepare the?parent company Centrenergo for privatisation in the next year. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine 2022, it has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's power system with drone and missile strikes, striking both power plants that deliver electricity to customers and substations. Officials in Ukraine have confirmed that up to 80% thermal generation capacity has been lost. Dmytro Natalukha is the chairman of the State Property Fund which manages the state assets of...