A fuel crisis hits Russia after weeks of Ukrainian attacks on refineries

Key Points:

• Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and infrastructure have caused significant fuel shortages and rationing across Russia, leading to long queues and rising frustration among motorists.
• Russia’s crude oil processing in June dropped 25% year-on-year, reaching the lowest levels in over 20 years, with about one-third of refining capacity offline due to repeated attacks.
• Fuel rationing is now in place in over half of Russia’s regions, including areas far from conflict zones, disrupting public transport and business operations, especially in Siberia.
• Repairing damaged refineries is expected to be a lengthy process, with some facilities, like the Moscow Oil Refinery, requiring months to restore, and full recovery unlikely until a ceasefire or armistice.
• Despite President Putin’s assurances that shortages are temporary and not critical, logistical challenges in redistributing fuel and ongoing attacks suggest the crisis may persist throughout the summer.