Russian government officials acknowledged on Friday that several regions are currently grappling with fresh petrol shortages. The supply issues follow months of consistent drone and missile attacks by Ukraine, which has been targeting Russia's energy infrastructure in an effort to disrupt a primary revenue stream for the Russian military. As part of the fallout from these strikes, a major refinery in Orsk, located approximately 1,300 kilometres from the front line, has been shut down for an expected period of six months following an attack earlier this week.
Addressing the crisis, the government stated in a social media post that the situation regarding fuel supplies at service stations remains tense. Officials noted that oil companies are actively implementing measures to increase deliveries to the most vulnerable areas. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees the energy sector, has presided over a government meeting focused on the shortages and has issued orders to monitor fuel prices closely.
The conflict has led to recurring fuel difficulties for both businesses and private motorists. Nearly every region in Russia has faced the necessity of limiting fuel sales or implementing rationing measures, such as prohibiting the filling of jerry cans, at some point during the ongoing hostilities. The Black Sea region of Krasnodar, a popular tourist destination, has been particularly affected. Regional governor Venyamin Kondratyev described the situation at service stations as complicated, noting that oil companies have resumed restrictions on supply volumes and reduced operating hours. He added that these developments have caused significant concern among both residents and visitors, prompting his request for additional fuel supplies.
In the Orenburg region, home to the damaged Orsk refinery, the local governor confirmed on Thursday that the facility is offline and repairs will require months to complete. President Vladimir Putin first acknowledged a specific fuel deficit in June, admitting that the country was navigating a difficult period while pledging to honor social obligations. Shortly after, he indicated that Russia would accelerate the production of air defense systems and import more fuel to address the temporary deficit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has characterized these strikes on energy facilities located deep within Russian territory as a form of long-range sanctions.
