The fractionating columns, however, are bespoke parts that are costly and have long lead times, and also are large and fragile, at least from the point of view of a properly targeted missile. Before the war, Russia relied on Western specialist firms to provide those, which is no longer an option.
Any decent bomb or missile is going to do a lot more than break a valve.
That was indeed implied, yes. Refineries are built pretty damage-resistant, because otherwise any random breakage would make them go up in flames.
Although… No promises about Russian safety systems.
The fractionating columns, however, are bespoke parts that are costly and have long lead times, and also are large and fragile, at least from the point of view of a properly targeted missile. Before the war, Russia relied on Western specialist firms to provide those, which is no longer an option.
None of the machining companies in Mykolaiv are returning our calls, in spite of our impeccable Carolina of the South accents.
Carolina Oblast (Southern)
In thiiis hyeah proviiince, we need to hire a few pipefitting teams with The Right Stuff, eh?
Well damage resistant to normal operations and prevent cascade failures. But the damage resistant part doesn’t extend to bombs.
Hmm, maybe we should test that theory. 😉