As Moscow Burns, Russia's Fuel Crisis Spreads
- By RFE/RL
A massive Ukrainian strike on a Moscow oil refinery on June 18 is set to exacerbate a worsening fuel shortage that is spreading throughout Russia.
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Smoke rises from the Moscow Oil Refinery following a Ukrainian drone attack on June 18.
The strike came as fuel shortages have spread from the Russian-occupied areas of Crimea and Donetsk in Ukraine into Russia in recent days.
The strike came as fuel shortages have spread from the Russian-occupied areas of Crimea and Donetsk in Ukraine into Russia in recent days.
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Motorists line up at a fuel station in Donetsk on June 16.
According to Russian media reports, scores of regions across Russia and Russian-held territory have imposed limits on how much fuel can be purchased by civilians.
According to Russian media reports, scores of regions across Russia and Russian-held territory have imposed limits on how much fuel can be purchased by civilians.
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A Tatneft fuel station in Moscow on June 16.
The Russian oil producer recently imposed rationing across its hundreds of gas stations throughout Russia, with each customer limited to 30 liters of petrol at a time.
The Russian oil producer recently imposed rationing across its hundreds of gas stations throughout Russia, with each customer limited to 30 liters of petrol at a time.
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Cars queuing at a gas station in Donetsk on June 16.
Before the June 18 strikes on the Moscow refinery, Energy Intelligence, a US-based research organization, estimated around one-third of Russia’s oil refining capacity has been knocked out by Ukrainian drone strikes. Refining runs in the country are the lowest in 21 years, according to the industry publication.
Before the June 18 strikes on the Moscow refinery, Energy Intelligence, a US-based research organization, estimated around one-third of Russia’s oil refining capacity has been knocked out by Ukrainian drone strikes. Refining runs in the country are the lowest in 21 years, according to the industry publication.
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A closed gas station in Yevpatoriya, Crimea, on June 11.
In Russian-held Crimea, fuel supplies have virtually run dry amid a Ukrainian "middle strike" campaign that has targeted fuel tankers and other logistics hardware on the peninsula.
In Russian-held Crimea, fuel supplies have virtually run dry amid a Ukrainian "middle strike" campaign that has targeted fuel tankers and other logistics hardware on the peninsula.
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Pedestrians walk past a closed fuel station in Yevpatoriya on June 11.
In the Krasnodar region of Russia, local authorities have noted shortages exacerbated by drivers from Crimea allegedly filling up in the Russian region before returning to the peninsula.
In the Krasnodar region of Russia, local authorities have noted shortages exacerbated by drivers from Crimea allegedly filling up in the Russian region before returning to the peninsula.
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Fuel nozzles with a note that they are undergoing "renovation," at a gas station in Kazan on June 16.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Kazan to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on June 18 and has not commented on the Moscow strikes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Kazan to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on June 18 and has not commented on the Moscow strikes.
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Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the ASEAN summit on June 18.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters in Kazan that it is "categorically incorrect" that the conflict in Ukraine is beginning to shift in Kyiv's favor.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters in Kazan that it is "categorically incorrect" that the conflict in Ukraine is beginning to shift in Kyiv's favor.
