Putin acknowledges fuel shortages in Russia as Ukrainian strikes disrupt supply and rationing is imposed in Siberia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that Ukrainian drone strikes on energy infrastructure have caused domestic fuel shortages, marking a rare admission of vulnerability. The shortages have spread across 56 Russian regions, including occupied Crimea and Siberia, where local authorities have imposed a 50-liter daily rationing limit. As motorists face hours-long queues, physical fights have erupted at filling stations. Meanwhile, Moscow is considering emergency measures, such as importing lower-quality fuel, to stabilize the domestic market.

Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries

• ▪A drone strike at a refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani in Russia's Krasnodar region killed one person and wounded another
• ▪A Ukrainian drone attack on June 18, 2026, hit the Kapotnya oil refinery in Moscow
• ▪Ukrainian drone strikes hit two Russian oil refineries overnight, including one in Krasnodar and another in Yaroslavl

Fuel shortages across Russia

• ▪According to independent Russian outlet Mediazona, 56 Russian regions are currently enforcing fuel restrictions
• ▪Igor Kobzev, the governor of the Irkutsk region in Siberia, announced that drivers are restricted to buying 50 liters of fuel per vehicle per day at state-run Rosneft stations
• ▪Fuel shortages have spread across multiple Russian regions, including occupied Crimea, southern Russia, Siberia, and Moscow

Putin acknowledges supply problems

• ▪Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to increase air defense production and accelerate repairs to damaged oil refineries
• ▪Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged that Ukrainian strikes on critical energy infrastructure are creating fuel shortages for motorists, businesses, and agricultural producers
• ▪Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that occupied Crimea has only a few days' supply of fuel left

Violence at gas stations

• ▪Fights and arguments have erupted among motorists waiting in long queues at Russian filling stations due to chronic fuel shortages
• ▪Physical altercations and shouting matches over places in fuel queues were recorded in the Russian cities of Serov, Ryazan, and Irkutsk

War-driven economic strain

• ▪Russia is experiencing deep economic pressure from the war, characterized by high domestic borrowing, steep interest rates, and a heavily militarized budget
• ▪Russia is considering emergency measures, including temporarily allowing the production and import of lower-quality fuel, to manage the domestic shortage