Russia's wallet bleeds as Ukraine attacks multiple oil and gas sites that help fund war

Ukraine is aiming at Russia's wallet as it begins targeting the country's largest oil and gas refineries, hundreds of miles inside the Russian border.

Russia is planning to spend more than $100bn on its military this year, and in response Ukraine is launching drone strikes against its enemy's vital facilities to try to reduce the Kremlin's war chest.

Since January, and to date, Ukraine has been responsible for attacks on 12 Russian oil refineries, with the largest being the plant at Ryazan, which refines nearly 13 million tonnes of crude a year, nearly 6% of the country's total.

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Ukraine's targets make up 10% of Russia's overall production of oil, with the Novoshakhtinsk refinery proving a popular target.

The site produces 96,000 barrels every day for Russia's export market and has been bombed four times since the war began, leading to a halt in production.

Ukraine found the most success in strikes near the city of Nizhny Novgorod, which is 270 miles east of Moscow. 

The fourth largest refinery in the country has had its production rate reduced by half due to repeated attacks by Ukrainian drones. At maximum capacity, the facility can produce five million tonnes of gasoline, as well as diesel and aviation fuel. 

The purpose of these attacks is to cut Russia's oil exports, a prime source of war funding for the Kremlin, and impact the supply of fuel and lubricants to the military.

The attacks have also begun to affect Russians, with prices of gasoline at the country's pumps rising to a six-month high.

President Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said Ukraine was fighting everything that finances Russia's army and the war.