Is Russia heading for a fuel crisis?
Russia's fuel output is falling after Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries. Seasonal spikes in gasoline and diesel demand could push the system into a deeper
Russia's fuel output is falling after Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries. Seasonal spikes in gasoline and diesel demand could push the system into a deeper crisis, experts say. Fuel supply bottlenecks are tightening in Russia, after Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries led to fuel disruptions in several regions. And this could just be the beginning, with pressure on the fuel market expected to increase in the coming months. If drone attacks continue at their current intensity and damaged refineries are unable to return to normal operations, local shortages could escalate into a broader crisis. According to publicly available sources seen by DW, fuel supply disruptions have been reported in more than 10 Russian regions in recent weeks. Some fuel stations have imposed restrictions or halted gasoline sales entirely. 'Logistical lockdown' in Crimea The situation in occupied Crimea is particularly tense. Fuel shortages ensued after recent drone strikes disrupted traffic along the so-called "Novorossiya Highway," which links the peninsula to Russia's Rostov region and serves as a key supply route for fuel. This "logistical lockdown," as Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has described the strikes on transport routes between Crimea and Russia, has forced Russian authorities on the peninsula to impose strict controls. Ukraine strikes hit fuel supplies and economy in Crimea To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Premium gasoline is now only available in exchange for ration coupons. According to local media, major fuel station chains have stopped selling it to private customers for several weeks. Regular gasoline is limited to purchases of no more than 20 liters (about 5 gallons). A few days ago, 15 filling stations in Russia's Krasnodar region on the Black Sea completely suspended fuel sales.
This remains a small number compared to the roughly 1,000 stations in the region, according to data from the local authorities. Where are the fuel shortages? Complaints are multiplying on social media that gasoline is frequently running out, even at filling stations that have not made public any suspension of sales. Many users attribute this to an influx of motorists from Crimea traveling to Russia's Krasnodar region to refuel. The governor of Krasnodar, Veniamin Kondratyev, has described the situation as "difficult" and referred to an "artificial surge" in demand. Fuel shortages — though often not severe — are now affecting practically the entire country. In central Russia, isolated shortages have been reported at individual stations in the Kursk, Belgorod, Ryazan and Oryol regions. Even Moscow and the surrounding region have seen sporadic complaints. Problems are also emerging in the northwest, including St. Petersburg and the Leningrad, Pskov, Novgorod, Murmansk and Karelia regions. Shortages have likewise been reported in Siberia and the Russian Far East. In most cases, the disruptions involve smaller fuel stations that are not affiliated with major oil companies. It;s not a full-scale crisis but complaints are increasing, and gasoline prices have been rising steadily for several weeks — climbing by up to 0.5% per week. What damage are drones inflicting? Russia experiences fuel bottlenecks almost every year, but to varying degrees. In summer, demand for gasoline and diesel typically rises due to agriculture and the holiday season. In addition, oil refineries carry out scheduled maintenance during this period. A refinery in Ryazan was damaged in a drone attack in March 2024 Image: Alexander Ryumin/TASS/picture alliance In 2024 and 2025, these factors were amplified by Ukrainian drone strikes, pushing disruptions beyond normal seasonal levels. This year, a crisis began to emerge even before seasonal pressures fully set in, as drone attacks started earlier and appear to have become more effective.
The BriefWire