Kremlin Admits Fuel Crisis as Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Refineries

The shift in tone follows a surge in Ukrainian long-range drone strikes targeting key energy infrastructure. The Kapotnya refinery in Moscow, which sustained significant structural damage earlier this month, is reportedly offline until 2027. With demand peaking due to summer travel and the harvest season, the government is now dipping into fuel reserves—which have declined by 4% compared to last year—and weighing a total ban on diesel exports to stabilize the domestic market.

During discussions with leadership from Rosneft, Lukoil, and Gazprom Neft, Putin admitted that queues at petrol stations remain a persistent problem for businesses and motorists alike. To mitigate the fallout, Moscow has established a 24/7 situation center to monitor supply chains. However, the pressure shows no signs of abating. On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed further drone strikes on refineries in the Krasnodar and Yaroslavl regions, signaling that Kyiv intends to continue its campaign to degrade Russia’s industrial capacity to sustain its war machine.