Fuel Crisis Engulfs Most Russian Regions and Occupied Ukrainian Territories – Media
Due to Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories face a severe fuel shortage, with restrictions in 53 regions.
According to the Russian publication The Bell, strict fuel sale restrictions have been introduced in 53 regions of Russia and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine due to a shortage caused by systematic Ukrainian attacks on refineries. In 18 Russian Federation subjects, as well as in occupied Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions, drivers are limited to purchasing no more than 50 liters or one full tank.
In another 11 Russian regions, significant fuel shortages are reported at most gas stations, although formal liter limits have not yet been imposed. Additionally, major Russian oil giants, including Rosneft, Bashneft, and TNK, have completely banned the sale of gasoline in canisters across Russia.
In May, oil production in Russia fell to a yearly low amid intensified Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries. By the end of May, almost all major oil industry facilities in central Russia were forced to reduce or completely halt operations. Overall, Ukraine attacked 8 of the 10 largest Russian refineries in May. According to Bloomberg, the drop in refining in May was the strongest since the war began – volumes fell by 13%, or 700,000 barrels per day year-on-year.
Crude oil exports from Russia did not decline in May and even brought extra revenue to the budget due to high global prices. However, analysts note that this only confirms the decline in domestic refining, as there is nowhere to store the “excess” oil inside Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the strikes on Russian oil facilities, stated that “Russia must be forced to end the war” and that “Ukrainian long-range weapons are one of the important components of such coercion.”
On the night of June 12, the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck two refineries in Tatarstan, including the largest enterprise of Tatneft – the Taneko plant in Nizhnekamsk – after which it completely suspended processing. On June 16, Tatneft imposed restrictions at gas stations nationwide. On the morning of June 16, Ukrainian long-range drones successfully attacked the Moscow Refinery in the Kapotnya district, which is the main fuel supplier for the Moscow region and provides up to 40% of Moscow's gasoline needs. The strike destroyed a key primary oil refining unit, halting operations.
