The reach of Ukraine's long-range strike campaign
Former CIA director David Petraeus has described the full scale of Ukraine's deep strikes, pointing out that every Russian oil refinery within 3,000 kilometers of Ukrainian territory has been attacked. The campaign has largely stripped Russia of its ability to export refined petroleum products. According to Russian Forbes, 54 percent of all refineries in the country have been damaged, dealing a heavy blow to Russia's domestic fuel market. Such long-range attacks have become a central part of Ukraine's effort to undermine Russia's war economy.
Fuel shortages spreading across Russia
Russia's summer refining shortfall reached 35 percent of domestic demand. By mid-August, fuel was in stock at only 28 percent of Russian gas stations, down from 41 percent a week earlier. Industry sources say the Moscow refinery, which once supplied 40 percent of the capital's gasoline, will not be able to restart production before the end of the year. As a consequence, Russia has started importing gasoline, and queues and fuel purchase limits have appeared in dozens of regions, including Moscow.
Petraeus noted that
“the war is now arriving in Russian homes in a way it had not arrived six months ago”. He emphasized that the very sight of refineries burning near Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other places has shocked Russian citizens. This situation highlights the substantial influence Ukrainian strikes are having on Russia's economy and its domestic fuel supply.
The destruction of Russian refining capacity carries serious consequences that extend beyond energy, affecting the broader economic situation. As fuel supplies contract, Russian consumers may face new obstacles in obtaining gasoline, which is already generating social frustration. Such discontent could weaken public support for the war and for government policies, potentially reshaping Russia's domestic political landscape.