Drone Strikes on Refineries Trigger Fuel Shortages Across 53 Russian Regions

Fuel Crisis Worsens Across Russia

According to Radiotrek — Світ: Fuel shortages are intensifying across Russia. Sales restrictions on gasoline are now in place across 53 regions of the country, as well as in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Similar rules have been enforced in occupied Crimea, Sevastopol, and parts of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. So far, 11 regions within Russia have not introduced any official restrictions.

Root Causes and Ripple Effects

The primary driver of the fuel deficit is the repeated targeting of oil refinery infrastructure by Ukrainian drones. As a result, by late spring, a significant number of major Russian refineries in the central regions had either cut production or temporarily shut down operations. Consequently, nearly one-third of the country’s refining capacity-roughly 2.14 million barrels per day-is currently offline.

In early June, oil processing volumes dropped below 4 million barrels per day, marking the lowest level in two decades. Since the start of the year, wholesale prices have surged: AI-92 gasoline is up 30%, AI-95 gasoline has risen 33%, and diesel fuel has increased by 40%. Companies including Rosneft, Bashneft, and TNK have decided to halt the sale of gasoline in canisters across all of Russia.

This fuel shortage points to serious structural issues within Russia’s economy, particularly its energy sector. The decline in refining capacity and rising fuel prices are likely to disrupt transportation networks and consumer markets. Future developments will probably hinge on how quickly Russia can restore its refinery operations and what steps it takes to stabilize fuel supplies.

The ongoing fuel crisis, which has now affected 53 regions and occupied territories, is a direct consequence of the disruptions in the oil refining sector. Understanding the broader implications of these shortages and the recent developments can provide valuable insights into the challenges facing Russia's energy infrastructure. For a more in-depth look at how this crisis is unfolding, see our detailed analysis on the fuel crisis in Russia and its impacts.