Russian troops face acute fuel shortages, limiting combat operations

Russian forces operating in Ukraine are experiencing a sharp decline in fuel deliveries, according to soldiers speaking to the independent outlet Verstka. Units that previously received enough gasoline for operational needs now report daily allocations of as little as 10 to 20 liters, a cut of roughly 30 percent in some cases. The shortfall has led to instances where combat vehicles, including a T-72 tank, were left on the battlefield after running out of fuel.

Personnel in the Zaporizhzhia sector said the reduced allotments have forced soldiers to carry water, food and ammunition on foot for distances of up to 11 kilometres. One soldier noted that the scarcity makes it difficult to sustain fighting capabilities, especially for units that depend on generators for communications and power.

With official supplies limited to registered military equipment, some troops have turned to the civilian market, purchasing gasoline at prices of 200 to 300 rubles per litre. Others reported that the fuel provided by the Defence Ministry appears discoloured and of lower quality than commercial gasoline. Private vehicles, generators and other non-military equipment must be added to a regiment’s inventory, a step that risks seizure by commanders.

Pro-war volunteer Anastasia Komarova, who monitors the conflict, said the lack of basic fuel raises questions about the sustainability of the operation. The fuel crisis follows sustained Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and fuel infrastructure, which have constrained national production and distribution.