Russia’s fuel crisis: Novak admits problems and shortage after Ukrainian drone strikes

Russia is grappling with a fuel shortage following Ukrainian drone strikes that have forced refineries to halt operations for repairs, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Wednesday.

“We have to admit that [in the fuel market] there are problems and there is a shortage, which is why we are seeing lines. Or sometimes gas stations are working inconsistently. The shortage [arose] for understandable reasons — because our refineries are partially going offline for repairs due to the [drone] strikes,” Novak said.

The fuel crisis has been unfolding across Russian regions since June and is intensifying as Ukrainian drones knock refineries out of commission. All ten of the largest refineries by installed capacity have been struck, including those far from the border — the Omsk refinery and the one in Perm Krai.

On July 8, President Vladimir Putin held a meeting devoted to the fuel crisis. During the meeting, Novak announced a ban on diesel exports for all market participants, in addition to the existing ban on gasoline and jet fuel exports. The ban is currently in effect through July 31.

At the meeting, Putin stated that Ukraine, through its strikes on Russian refineries, “seeks to damage the economy” and also to “create a climate of anxiety in society.”