Fuel shortages spark public anger and dip in Putin's approval
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country was experiencing fuel shortages after Ukrainian strikes on energy facilities, NBC News reported. He added that a task force had been set up to address the problem, and later statements to the BBC and Fox News echoed that attacks on oil refineries were the cause. Putin stressed that the shortages were not critical while promising to accelerate defence production and refinery repairs. Ukrainian drone and missile attacks were estimated to have disabled about a third of Russia's refining capacity, leading to long queues, regional rationing and higher prices, AP News noted. The disruptions prompted emergency measures, including consideration of a diesel export ban and attempts to import gasoline, as reported by Euronews and Fox News.
Inflation pressures rose and the central bank adopted a cautious stance on interest-rate cuts, Politico. eu said. Hospitals and fire services faced fuel shortages because state tenders faltered, United24 Media reported. Public anger grew, especially in Crimea, where residents criticised the prolonged gasoline shortage, EUobserver wrote. A poll later showed Putin's approval rating had fallen to 66%, with fuel shortages identified as the top concern among Russians, The Daily Beast reported.
