Queues at petrol stations stretch for blocks across Russian cities and towns, from Moscow to the illegally annexed Crimea, where residents have been banned from filling their tanks so priority can be given to military vehicles. This is the reality in one of the world's largest oil exporters, and now President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged it for the first time.
At its core, the crisis is a direct result of Ukraine's sustained campaign of missile and drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure. According to independent Russian outlet Mediazona, 56 Russian regions are currently enforcing fuel restrictions. The International Energy Agency reported that Russian crude oil production dropped around 5% year-on-year last month due to the strikes, and analysts estimate more than a fifth of Russia's total refining capacity may have been knocked offline. In an interview with state television, Putin admitted a "certain shortage" exists, though he insisted it was "not critical." He specifically mentioned Crimea, where only "a few days' supply" of fuel remained, but expressed confidence that more would be brought in soon.
“How Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries caused fuel queues and rationing, explained”
Russia's reliance on its domestic refining capacity has been a vulnerability that Ukraine has increasingly exploited. Since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has developed long-range drones capable of striking deep inside Russian territory. The strategy aims to disrupt the fuel supply for Russia's military and to bring the reality of war home to ordinary Russians. Putin's rare admission—that the attacks are "obviously creating problems"—signals that this strategy is having an effect, according to analysts such as Keir Giles of Chatham House, who says Russia's leader is being "forced to publicly admit more and more about the reality of the war."
For UK readers, this is not merely a distant conflict story. The fuel shortages affect global energy markets: Russia is the world's second-largest crude oil exporter and third-largest exporter of refined petroleum products. Any prolonged disruption could influence global fuel prices, affecting UK motorists and businesses. Moreover, the political implications are significant. Russia is now in talks to import gasoline from abroad—an extraordinary step for a major oil exporter—with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming discussions are "actively being held." Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has described imports as a key tool for stabilising the market, and Russian lawmakers have approved tax changes to subsidise foreign gasoline purchases. This adds pressure on Putin domestically, as public discontent grows over queues and rationing, potentially weakening support for the war and increasing the chance of peace negotiations.
Q: Why is Russia, a major oil exporter, running out of fuel? Ukrainian drone and missile strikes have knocked out more than a fifth of Russia's refining capacity, according to analysts. While Russia exports large amounts of crude oil, its domestic supply of refined petrol depends on refineries that are now damaged, leading to shortages and rationing across 56 regions.
Q: How are Ukrainian strikes causing fuel queues in Russia? Ukraine has intensified attacks on oil refineries, depots and supply routes using long-range drones. These strikes create immediate disruptions in the local fuel supply, forcing petrol stations to limit sales and creating long queues, as seen from Moscow to Siberia and Crimea.
Q: Could Russia's fuel shortage affect UK petrol prices? Indirectly, yes. Russia is a major global energy player. If shortages persist, global crude oil and refined product prices could rise. The UK imports some refined fuels and global markets are interconnected, so any sustained disruption may eventually be felt at the pump.
What happens next depends on how quickly Russia can repair its refineries and secure imports. Putin has promised to increase air defences and speed up repairs, but the scale of the damage is unprecedented. The Kremlin is actively negotiating gasoline imports from unspecified countries. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its drone campaign, and experts like Keir Giles suggest that as pressure mounts, Putin may eventually accept that freezing the conflict is more advantageous than continuing to fight.