Russia steps up oil refinery protection amid surge in Ukrainian drone attacks

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Novak said oil companies were responsible for protecting their facilities and were working with the Defense Ministry and National Guard to strengthen security.

“Regarding the protection of energy facilities, businesses are taking a responsible approach. In accordance with the threat model, they provide physical protection of the facilities and also work with the Defense Ministry and the National Guard to obtain the necessary means to protect refineries,” he said.

Novak said Russian refineries were now protected at a level he considered comparable to, or better than, facilities in the United Arab Emirates, where high metal frameworks and protective netting have been installed around some storage tanks.

“Believe me, we are no worse, and perhaps even better, taking into account the experience we have gained over the past several months,” he said.

He added that Russian design institutes were working closely with refinery operators and that protection measures were being developed based on “a more stringent threat model.”

“This work has been intensified in recent months in view of the increased attacks on oil refineries,” he said.

Novak acknowledged that the additional security measures came at a significant cost to oil companies but said keeping refineries operational was economically more important.

“The oil companies have allocated their own funds to ensure the protection of the refineries,” he said.

Russian authorities have also adjusted refinery maintenance schedules to maximize fuel production and supplies to the domestic market, Novak said.

About 10% of Russia’s refineries are currently undergoing maintenance, while planned repairs that had been scheduled for the summer were postponed to later dates, he added.

“At present, approximately 10% of the facilities are undergoing repairs, but we have moved planned maintenance that was scheduled for the summer to later periods in order to ensure maximum production at the current stage and supplies to the domestic market,” he said.

Novak added that the government and oil companies were working to complete refinery repairs as quickly as possible.