‘The crisis is deep’: The view from Russia as fuel shortages worsen

Russia is experiencing a severe fuel shortage due to Ukrainian drone strikes that have disabled approximately a quarter of its oil refining capacity. This has led to long queues at petrol stations and rationing, with sales limited to 20-30 liters per vehicle. The government has banned petrol and jet fuel exports and is considering a diesel export ban. Authorities are prioritizing fuel for the agricultural harvest and seeking imports from countries like Belarus and India. President Putin acknowledges the shortage but states it is not critical, emphasizing the need to increase air defense production and speed up refinery repairs. Ukraine's campaign aims to pressure Russia into ending the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Ukrainian long-range strikes on energy infrastructure are causing fuel shortages across Russia. Videos show long lines and fights erupting at gas stations in various regions, including Siberia and Moscow. Ukraine has been increasingly targeting Russian oil refineries and supply routes with drones, hitting at least two overnight. These attacks are creating visible problems for motorists, businesses, and agricultural producers, forcing Moscow to consider emergency measures like allowing lower-quality fuel. Opposition figures confirm the reality and difficulty of these shortages, attributing them directly to Ukraine's effective strikes on refining capacity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure are causing "a certain shortage" of fuel, though he described the problems as not critical. These attacks, which Ukraine states are retribution for Russian barrages on its energy infrastructure, have led to an "emergency situation" in annexed Crimea due to fuel shortages and power cuts. Putin stated Russia's focus is on increasing anti-aircraft defense and ensuring fuel supplies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated these strikes, including on refineries in Krasnodar and Yaroslavl regions, are intended to weaken Russia's war-fighting capabilities. Putin vowed to ensure security and overcome challenges posed by these attacks.

Ukraine's campaign of targeting Russian oil refineries has caused significant fuel shortages within Russia, forcing Moscow to import fuel and disrupting supply routes to occupied Crimea. While these strikes have generated dramatic visuals, they have not compelled Russian President Vladimir Putin to alter his peace demands. Putin has reiterated his desire for a peace treaty based on the 2022 Istanbul framework agreement, which included Ukraine's neutrality and military limitations, and has added further demands for occupied territories. The article suggests that despite the refinery attacks, Russia's overall economic stability and its ability to cope with such challenges remain intact, unlike Ukraine's increasing reliance on Western aid.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Ukraine's reported proposal to limit long-range missile strikes, claiming Kyiv made the offer due to pressure on the front lines and the perceived greater destructive impact of Russian counterstrikes. Putin stated that Ukraine's aim was to save its regime and that Russia would continue its operations. This comes as Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia's energy sector, hitting oil refineries and electricity plants with long-range drones. Putin acknowledged these attacks but downplayed their impact on the front lines, while Ukraine stated its goal was to weaken Russia's war capabilities. Russia is reportedly increasing its air defense production in response to the drone attacks.

Ukraine conducted a significant drone assault on Russia, setting fire to a major oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, Krasnodar region, and killing at least two people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine's responsibility for the strike, stating it was part of an effort to reduce Russia's resources for the war and move towards peace. Debris from downed drones reportedly caused the blaze at the Slavyansk refinery. Zelenskyy also claimed a second Russian refinery in the Yaroslavl region was hit. Russian authorities reported shooting down numerous Ukrainian drones overnight, while Ukraine stated it downed most of Russia's incoming drones and missiles.

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have triggered a significant fuel crisis across Russia, leading to widespread fuel rationing and long queues at gas stations. Since late March, Ukraine has conducted over 50 attacks on oil infrastructure, resulting in a 25% decrease in crude oil processing in June compared to the previous year, the lowest in over two decades. This has caused gasoline production to fall by 17%, impacting domestic supply. President Putin acknowledged the persistent problems for motorists and businesses, though he described the shortages as temporary and not critical. Ukrainian officials state these strikes are part of a strategy to pressure Moscow to end the war by disrupting its logistics and supply lines. The crisis is affecting ordinary Russians and has reached distant regions, impacting businesses and public transport due to rising fuel costs. Repairing damaged refineries is complicated by the need for foreign-sourced equipment and is expected to take months, with shortages likely to persist through the summer.