Russia faces fuel shortage due to Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries
Increased Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have caused a nationwide fuel deficit, prompting the Kremlin to consider fuel imports and leading to social tensions.
Fuel crisis in Russia
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Russia is facing a significant fuel shortage caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on its oil refineries. As of mid-June, about 28% of Russia's oil refining capacity has been taken offline, according to Sergei Vakulenko, former head of strategic planning at Gazprom Neft.
The problem is no longer logistical difficulties or market imbalance, but a direct lack of fuel. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is planning to start importing fuel for the first time in decades and is holding talks with several countries.
Impact on citizens and economy
The fuel deficit is nationwide, but the situation varies by region. In Moscow, many gas stations have closed, and those still operating have hour-long queues. In Siberia and the North Caucasus, residents report waiting overnight or longer to refuel. In the Irkutsk region, mobile toilets have been installed along multi-kilometer fuel lines.
Across most of Russia, refueling into canisters is banned, and cars are limited to about 20 liters per customer. Diesel shortage is less acute so far.
Tensions are rising: the Oryol region plans to sell fuel only to locally registered vehicles no more than once a week. In the Krasnodar region, fights have broken out between locals and drivers from Crimea, where fuel sales have completely stopped due to the Ukrainian "drone blockade."
Political consequences
The fuel shortage has become a daily reality ahead of the September parliamentary elections. Although no one expects free and fair elections, they provide Russians with a platform to quietly express discontent. One Moscow resident noted that his wife waited in line for gasoline for more than two hours, and this will definitely affect their attitude toward the authorities before the elections.
Analyst Andrei Kolesnikov points out that a social crisis is clearly brewing due to the fuel shortage, which could turn into a political one, but serious consequences have not yet emerged. Economist Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) adds that Putin himself has openly spoken about the problem, showing how serious the situation has become.
Response and solutions
Russian authorities have lifted previous restrictions and allowed the sale of lower-quality fuel. The Kommersant newspaper reports that Russia is considering allowing refineries to produce low-quality gasoline of the Euro-2 standard, which was banned in 2013.
Although fuel remains relatively cheap compared to world prices, independent stations have started raising prices. Russian authorities have responded by restricting the publication of retail price statistics and conducting raids to identify alleged speculators. On the black market in Crimea, speculators are reportedly selling gasoline for over 500 rubles per liter.
