Ukrainian strikes cause fuel shortages and inflation pressure in Russia
The Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on oil refineries had created fuel shortages across several regions, NBC News reported. He added that a task force was mobilised to address the problem, according to the same source. BBC cited Putin emphasizing that the shortages were not critical but pledged increased defence production and accelerated refinery repairs. Fox News noted that the government was weighing emergency measures in response to the disruptions.
AP News later reported that the strikes had reduced Russia's refining capacity by roughly one-third, leading to long queues, regional rationing and higher prices, which officials described as temporary. EUobserver said the gasoline shortage in Crimea sparked public anger, while Russian troops were reported near Kramatorsk. Politico. eu observed that the shortages were feeding inflation pressures and that the Central Bank of Russia was adopting a cautious stance on interest-rate cuts.
