Putin Acknowledges Fuel Shortages Linked to Ukrainian Strikes
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's missile attacks have caused fuel shortages, though he stressed they are not critical, and pledged to boost defence production and refinery repairs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told senior officials that motorists and businesses continue to face fuel shortages, noting persistent queues at petrol stations and difficulty obtaining the right grade of gasoline. He said the agricultural sector is also affected, with the harvest dependent on a reliable fuel supply.
In a televised interview, Putin admitted that Ukrainian missile and drone strikes are "obviously creating problems" and that Russia is experiencing a "certain shortage," but he added that the situation is not critical. He pledged to increase production of air defences to protect energy infrastructure and to accelerate repairs at damaged refineries.
Regarding Crimea, Putin said the peninsula currently has only a few days' fuel supply but expressed confidence that additional deliveries will arrive soon. He argued that Ukraine is attempting to divide Russian society and weaken support for the war, a claim he rejected, stating that Ukrainian long-range strikes have "absolutely no impact on the situation at the front line."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia's objectives remain unchanged, emphasizing the goal of forcing Ukrainian forces out of four southeastern regions claimed by Moscow.
