Putin Acknowledges Fuel Shortages Amid Growing Queues at Russian Gas Stations

Long queues at gas stations across Russia have highlighted a growing domestic fuel shortage, leading President Vladimir Putin to publicly acknowledge the problem. The shortage follows a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, which have reduced the country's ability to meet internal demand despite its status as a major oil producer.

Reports indicate that many stations are either crowded with cars and trucks or have run out of fuel entirely, prompting rationing measures in several regions. Wholesale fuel prices have risen, and motorists have expressed concern over the limited availability. One driver said she was "not happy" and described a sense of panic among consumers, while another noted that fuel prices were climbing as supplies dwindled.

The energy sector, which contributes roughly 30 percent of Russia's budget revenues, has also been under pressure from Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. On Monday, Ukrainian drones struck the Omsk refinery, the country's largest, marking the first such attack and indicating that a significant portion of Russia's refining capacity is now within drone range.

In a June interview published by the Kremlin, Putin said Ukraine's strikes have created a "certain shortage" of fuel, adding that the situation is not yet critical but does pose problems for the country's infrastructure. He emphasized that the attacks on energy facilities are a factor in the current supply issues.