Russia Admits New Petrol Shortages as Ukrainian Strikes Hit Refineries

Russian authorities confirmed on Friday that certain regions are experiencing new petrol shortages, following a surge in Ukrainian drone and missile strikes on the nation's oil refineries. Ukraine has specifically targeted these refineries in an effort to diminish Russia's ability to continue its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This development is reported by the Kyiv Post.

One significant refinery in Orsk, situated around 1,300 kilometers (810 miles) from the front line, was compelled to close for six months due to an attack this week. The government disclosed in a social media post that the situation remains tense in several regions across the country concerning fuel supplies at service stations. Oil companies have been actively taking necessary actions to augment deliveries to the most vulnerable areas, as stated in the government's statement.

Deputy Prime Minister for energy, Alexander Novak, has ordered that fuel prices be closely monitored in light of the shortages. Russian companies and individual drivers have repeatedly encountered fuel shortages throughout recent months due to the conflict. Almost every region in Russia has had to impose fuel sales limitations or other forms of rationing, including prohibiting the filling of portable fuel containers, at some point during the war.

The Krasnodar region, located on the Black Sea and renowned for its picturesque beaches, has been particularly severely affected.

Venyamin Kondratyev, the regional governor of Krasnodar, expressed concern over the complicated situation regarding petrol supplies at service stations. Oil companies have once more started imposing restrictions on the quantity of fuel supplied and have reduced service station operating hours, leading to worry among the region's residents and tourists.

In response, the governor has requested authorities to dispatch additional fuel. Ukraine has been relentlessly targeting Russian energy facilities with drones and missiles for months, aiming to inflict damage on a crucial income source for Russia's military operations.