Sustained Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged over 50 Russian energy facilities, knocking out a third of Russia's refining capacity and cutting June crude processing to a 20-year low. The resulting fuel crisis has forced rationing in over 56 regions, prompting rare public admissions of shortages from President Vladimir Putin. To stabilize the domestic market, the Kremlin is taking the highly unusual step of negotiating fuel imports from foreign nations while grappling with slow, sanction-hampered refinery repairs.
Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries
- ▪Ukraine has launched over 50 drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, depots, terminals, and other energy infrastructure since March 2026
- ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved a 40-day campaign of strikes to pressure Russia into ending the war
- ▪Ukraine has targeted eight of Russia's ten largest oil refineries, including multiple strikes on a facility at the edge of Moscow
Russian fuel shortages
- ▪Russia's crude oil processing in June 2026 fell 25% from the previous year to 3.95 million barrels per day, the lowest level in over two decades
- ▪Russia's gasoline production fell 17% to 850,000 barrels a day, leaving the domestic market short of required supplies
- ▪At least 56 Russian regions have introduced fuel restrictions or rationing, and Crimea declared a state of emergency due to gasoline shortages
Kremlin fuel import plans
- ▪Russian officials are considering allowing energy companies to temporarily produce and import lower-quality gasoline and diesel
- ▪The Kremlin confirmed it is negotiating to import refined oil products from other countries to stabilize the domestic market
Public frustration at gas stations
- ▪Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged queues at petrol stations and difficulties in finding specific grades of petrol
- ▪Frustrated motorists have formed long lines at Russian gas stations, with some stations abruptly halting fuel sales or closing pumps
Russian economic pessimism
- ▪Economic analyst Maksim Blant stated the fuel crisis, occurring alongside an unprecedented budget deficit, could trigger a broader economic downturn
- ▪A Gallup poll conducted between March 14 and May 6, 2026, showed 60% of Russian respondents believe local economic conditions are worsening
Refinery repair efforts
- ▪Repairing the war-damaged Moscow refinery, which supplies 40% of the capital's fuel, is expected to take at least three months
- ▪Sanctions on imported specialized equipment make repairing Russia's damaged oil refineries highly time-consuming and expensive
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