Russia faces widespread petrol shortages as refinery output falls after Ukrainian attacks
Ukrainian drone strikes have disabled about one-third of Russia's refining capacity, leading to rationing and long queues for fuel across more than half of the country’s regions.
More than half of Russia’s regions are reporting fuel rationing and long queues at petrol stations after a series of Ukrainian attacks damaged refineries, cutting roughly one-third of the nation’s refining capacity, according to industry estimates. Production of gasoline fell 25% in June year-on-year to 3.95 million barrels per day, the lowest level in over twenty years, while diesel output dropped 17% to 850,000 barrels per day, well below domestic demand.
President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian strikes were creating “problems” and that a “certain shortage” existed, though he said the situation was not critical. Officials in Moscow have attributed the shortages partly to panic buying and have urged motorists to limit refuelling. Exports of petrol and aviation fuel have been reduced, and a ban on diesel exports is being considered.
Christopher Weafer, chief executive of Macro-Advisory, said the Moscow refinery, which previously supplied about 40% of fuel for the capital region, would need at least three months for repairs. He noted that sanctions complicate the replacement of specialised equipment damaged in the attacks.
Ukrainian officials describe the strikes, which have targeted more than 40 oil facilities since April, as “sanction-style responses” aimed at weakening Russia’s war logistics. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted a recent attack on the Ufa refinery, stating it demonstrates Ukraine’s long-range sanctions against Russia’s continued conflict.