Information on the current losses of the Russian Federation due to sanctions as of 12.10.2026.
1. Ukrainian strikes incapacitate Russian refineries and deepen the fuel crisis.
– Ukraine is systematically attacking critically important hubs of Russian refineries, causing enterprises to lose the ability to operate stably, and repairs are complicated by Western sanctions. It is estimated that the campaign has resulted in the most serious fuel shortage in Russia since the dissolution of the USSR.
– According to the analysis of satellite images and visual materials, from April 1 to August 31, at least two-thirds of the 36 large Russian refineries tracked by S&P Global Energy have been attacked. Some enterprises were attacked up to five times.
– Of the 54 strikes whose consequences were studied by journalists and experts in the refining industry, more than half likely damaged desalinization and primary oil distillation units. More than a third of the strikes targeted nearby secondary processing units necessary for the production of gasoline, aviation fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas.
– Ukrainian drone operators focus on key production components rather than destroying the entire plant. Repeated attacks do not give enterprises enough time to recover.
– Damaged equipment can be repaired, but the frequency of strikes exceeds the pace of repair work. An additional problem is the shortage of spare parts due to sanctions restrictions. According to S&P Global Energy, by the end of August, about half of Russia’s refining capacities were incapacitated — more than double than at the end of 2025.
– At the beginning of August, the export of petroleum products decreased by about half compared to the same period of the previous year. Ukrainian strikes also damage tanks, pumping stations, and pipeline infrastructure. This complicates not only oil refining but also the storage and delivery of fuel.
– As a result, the Russian oil industry is simultaneously facing production capacity damage, logistics disruptions, and increasingly complicated equipment repairs.
2. The Russian army lost over 50,000 soldiers in September.
– In September, the Russian army lost over 50,000 soldiers killed and wounded in Ukraine, including 28,000 killed. These are record monthly losses for the duration of the full-scale war, reported a senior NATO military representative.
– According to him, the losses are increasing due to the continuation of the Russian offensive. The Russian command is sending soldiers into areas affected by Ukrainian drones and artillery, where they also face mine danger.
– The losses of the Ukrainian army, which is mainly on the defensive, amounted to about 5,000 killed and wounded for the month. Thus, the ratio of losses between Russia and Ukraine in September reached approximately 10 to 1.
– Estimates of Russian losses throughout the year have been steadily rising. In April and June, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that 30–35 thousand Russian soldiers were killed or wounded each month.
– At the end of August, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska reported that the losses exceeded 40,000 per month, and in September Rutte mentioned the figure of 43,000.
– The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also reported record losses of the Russian army in September — 46,200 soldiers.
– NATO’s estimate is even higher and indicates further increases in the cost of the Russian offensive in terms of manpower.
3. Abramovich concealed assets worth 10 billion dollars.
– Close aides of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, with the involvement of employees of the auditing company Deloitte, backdated financial documents to conceal assets worth over $10 billion and help him avoid paying tens of millions of dollars in taxes.
– According to the investigation, from 1999 at least until 2013, more than 1,000 documents of over 100 of Abramovich’s companies were backdated. In some cases, the indicated dates differed from the actual ones by five years.
– This involved the oligarch’s close aide, Eugene Tenenbaum, and the former head of Deloitte’s Cyprus division, Demetris Ioannides, who later founded Meritservus. Deloitte approved the reporting prepared based on these documents.
– One of the schemes allowed the removal of assets worth over $10 billion from the reports, related to Electus Investments and the shares of “Sibneft.” In another case, backdated documents changed the status of $2 billion obtained after selling “Sibneft” shares, potentially helping avoid taxes.
– Journalists also discovered documents regarding transactions worth $98 million and properties valued at $650 million — including an estate in the UK, real estate in France, yachts, and airplanes — which disappeared from the reports.
4. US Senators from both parties demand Trump refuse the purchase of Russian diesel.
– Six U.S. senators from the Republican and Democratic parties have urged the Trump administration to immediately abandon the plan to purchase diesel fuel from Russia.
– The lawmakers stated that the White House did not consult with Congress and did not provide the legally required justification for its decision. The senators emphasized that the U.S. should not import Russian oil until Moscow ceases its aggression against Ukraine and threats to NATO allies.
– The appeal was signed by six lawmakers, including Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Thom Tillis, as well as Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Blumenthal.
– The senators’ stance increases pressure on the Trump administration over the potential easing of restrictions on Russian diesel fuel supplies. The dispute concerns not only energy policy but also compliance with the U.S. sanctions course against Russia, which continues its war against Ukraine.
5. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, warned of the risk of a major environmental disaster near European shores due to the activities of the Russian shadow fleet.
– According to her, old tankers with poor maintenance and inadequate insurance could cause a massive oil spill.
– Three months after expanding the EU’s “Irini” maritime mission to counter the shadow fleet, six ship inspections have been conducted. Kallas emphasized that each inspection costs Russia time and money. Meanwhile, diplomatic measures have the most noticeable effect: at the EU’s request, some African countries have removed hundreds of tankers from their ship registries.
– Losing the flag makes the vessels more vulnerable to inspections and detentions, as well as complicates access to insurance, banking services, and trade. As a result, transporting Russian oil becomes riskier and more expensive.
– The shadow fleet is used to transport Russian oil and petroleum products circumventing Western sanctions.
– According to the provided estimates, it accounts for about 17% of the world’s tanker fleet. The EU is increasing pressure on such shipments not only through inspections but also by limiting the vessels’ ability to operate legally on the international market.
6. The EU is preparing stricter visa restrictions for Russians due to the threat of sabotage.
– The European Commission plans to present proposals in January 2027 to strengthen visa regulations for Russian citizens due to concerns about hybrid attacks, sabotage, and espionage in EU countries.
– The initiative is being pushed by Poland, Sweden, Estonia, and other states that insist on stricter restrictions, particularly for former Russian military personnel.
– Last year, Russian citizens received about 478,000 tourist Schengen visas. A significant portion of these were multiple-entry visas, allowing them to enter EU countries repeatedly without reapplying for documents.
– European governments believe the current system has loopholes that could be exploited by individuals involved in sabotage operations. Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer stated that the EU visa system remains vulnerable to abuse amidst threats of arson, sabotage, and other operations that European countries estimate may be supported by Moscow.
– Stockholm is urging to expedite reform and consider additional restrictions for Russian diplomats. EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner also advocated for reducing the number of visas for Russians and implementing coordinated EU-level restrictions.
– In June, nine EU countries, along with Iceland and Norway, called for a unified stricter approach, warning that discrepancies between countries weaken the collective pressure on Russia and pose security risks to the Schengen Zone.
7. Britain opposed Trump’s agreements with Russia on diesel fuel supply.
– UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting stated that London does not support the Trump administration’s agreements with Russia regarding diesel fuel supply.
– In an interview with BBC Radio 4, he emphasized that the US and its allies must increase pressure on Moscow to expedite the end of the war and ensure Ukraine’s freedom.
– According to Streeting, Washington’s decision is linked to internal pressure due to rising fuel prices ahead of the US Congressional midterm elections in November. Meanwhile, the British minister urged not to ease pressure on Russia, placing responsibility for the war against Ukraine on Putin and his imperial ambitions.
– Streeting also stated that only Ukrainians should decide who governs their country. He mentioned that when public disagreements arise between Washington and Kyiv, the UK tries to help the parties restore dialogue.
8. Iran retains missile potential and receives missiles from Russia.
– Iran has maintained the capability to produce missiles and drones despite months of airstrikes by the US and Israel. According to Western officials, Tehran has a sufficient stockpile of ballistic missiles and some anti-ship platforms, and continues to rebuild its arsenal.
– According to Bloomberg, Russia is also supplying missiles to Iran. Western officials had already voiced this assessment in June. These assessments contradict statements by US President Donald Trump and his administration that prolonged airstrikes have significantly weakened Iranian armed forces.
– On September 30, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the destruction of Iran’s military-industrial potential and its defense base. According to Bloomberg Economics, the pause in large-scale American attacks gave Tehran time to resume production and prepare for a possible new phase of hostilities.
– Western officials believe that Iran retains the capability to retaliate if the American operation resumes.
