Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt Russian fuel supplies and travel ahead of parliamentary election
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil facilities, warehouses and airports have caused fuel shortages, flight cancellations and heightened public anxiety as Russia prepares for a September parliamentary vote.
Ukrainian drones targeted Russian oil terminals, retail warehouses and airports throughout June, July and August, prompting long queues at gas stations and widespread travel disruptions. The Defense Ministry reported that more than 43,300 drones were intercepted over Russia and Crimea during the three-month period, a sharp rise from roughly 7,700 the previous year.
The attacks have affected major cities from St. Petersburg to Yekaterinburg and Omsk, igniting fires at refineries and storage sites owned by retailers such as Wildberries and Ozon. Residents described the impact as a sudden shift from normal life to daily hardship, with many waiting hours for gasoline and flights to vacation destinations being canceled or rerouted.
Analysts note that the heightened activity coincides with Russia’s upcoming parliamentary election on Sept. 18-20, the first since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the election outcome is widely expected to favor the ruling party, experts say the unrest could introduce unpredictable elements. > "Elections are a time when people should reflect on themselves, the country, where it’s going and what to do about it," said Nikolay Petrov, senior research fellow at the NEST Centre.
Public sentiment appears to be shifting. Levada Center polling shows President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating fell to 76% in August, down from 87% the previous year, and economic confidence has declined. Business consultants observe growing pessimism and increased discussion of the war’s effects among the population.
Rumors of a new military mobilization have also contributed to anxiety, prompting some young Russians to leave the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian airspace could become effectively closed to civilian aviation due to ongoing drone activity.
Despite the turbulence, authorities report no significant rise in anti-war protests or opposition voting, and the Kremlin continues to present the election as a demonstration of legitimacy.