Russia's crude oil production has declined since the beginning of the year as a number of local refineries are under unscheduled repairs and maintenance, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday, in the first public acknowledgement from Moscow that its output is flailing.“Currently, Russia’s oil production is indeed lower compared to the beginning of 2026,” Novak told reporters on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.“We have a number of refineries under unscheduled repairs. However, we are maximizing the use of the export infrastructure,” said Novak, who represents Russia at the OPEC+ meetings and at discussions about the alliance’s output.Novak’s words appear to be the first public admission from Russia that intensified Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries are reducing local domestic refining production.As a result, Russia has moved to boost its exports of crude, but Ukraine has been targeting the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea export terminals, too.Earlier this week, Russia banned exports of jet fuel through November 30, 2026, as it looks to ensure domestic supply amid intensifying Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian refining infrastructure.The ban is not expected to be felt on the tight international jet fuel market as Russia is a small exporter of aviation fuels.But the ban on kerosene exports follows a ban on gasoline exports, in force since April 1, as Russia has seen its refining capacity and capability crippled in recent weeks by intensifying drone attacks from Ukraine.Kyiv has targeted several major refiners and oil export terminals since the war in Iran began, aiming to cripple Russia’s ability to take advantage of the soaring international oil and fuel prices.Last month, Ukraine targeted the 300,000-barrels per day Yaroslavl oil refinery in Russia, escalating the drone attacks on Russian refining and oil exporting assets, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.“We are bringing the war back home – to Russia – and that’s only fair,” Zelenskyy said in May.By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.comMore Top Reads From Oilprice.comHouse Passes War Powers Measure on Iran, But Trump Will Likely Kill ItIranian, Russian Crude Premiums Slide as China Pulls Back on ImportsSouth Korea Boosts Jet Fuel Exports to Nine-Month High