In response to the ongoing drone attacks on its oil facilities, the Russian government, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, has announced measures to strengthen the security around these critical installations. Russia's energy ministry has revealed that it is working in collaboration with the National Guard-Rosgvardiya to bolster protection for refineries, utilizing missile defense systems.

Since the commencement of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, there has been a surge in drone strikes on fuel depots and oil refineries across various parts of Russia. Moscow has frequently attributed these attacks to Ukraine, although responsibility is often not immediately claimed by Kyiv. The strikes have had a significant impact, leading to the suspension of operations at these facilities. This disruption not only affects Russia's export of its main commodity but also hampers its ability to sustain its war effort.

The energy ministry, as stated by Artem Verkhov, the gas industry development director, has acknowledged the urgent need to address security concerns. Verkhov mentioned that efforts were underway to strengthen security systems using the Pantsir type medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems.

Verkhov also expressed confidence in the ability to redirect fuel flows in case of equipment breakdown, provided that Russian Railways plays its part in facilitating transportation. The collaboration with the National Guard-Rosgvardiya aims to implement measures to secure the facilities and install necessary protection systems.

Energy analyst Thomas O'Donnell, based in Berlin, emphasized that although strikes on the refineries impact their operation, it does not necessarily mean the entire facility is rendered inoperable. Refineries are designed to withstand such incidents, preventing catastrophic consequences. However, attacks on crucial parts, such as the column, can significantly prolong the repair process.

Recent reports indicated that these drone strikes have affected more than 10% of Russia's oil production capacity. O'Donnell clarified that while the impact on the war machine and the export industry depends on the location of the strikes, targeting refineries in the east of Donbas, within Russia, would directly disrupt the war effort. Strikes on facilities closer to the Baltic Sea, further north, would primarily impact revenue generation.

Over the past few weeks, several attacks have taken place at locations including the Slavyansk oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, Ryazan, Pervyy Zavod, Rostov near the Ukrainian border, Nizhny Novgorod, and near St. Petersburg. Ukrainian media reports suggest that the strike on the Slavyansk oil refinery was carried out by Ukrainian special forces and Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU).

As Russia intensifies efforts to fortify its oil facilities against drone attacks, the escalating situation highlights the need for enhanced security measures and ongoing cooperation between authorities to safeguard critical infrastructure.