Russia, one of the world’s largest oil producers, has been forced to import gasoline and diesel from Belarus and India after Ukrainian drone attacks slashed domestic refinery capacity by nearly 30%. The shortages have led to long queues and purchase limits at gas stations, even in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
For a country that ranks among the top global oil exporters, this turn of events is a painful humiliation. The Ukrainian assaults, concentrated on refineries in western and central Russia, have knocked out key production units. According to official data, capacity has fallen by almost a third, with the European part of the country hit hardest.
Drivers across Russia now face hours of waiting at petrol stations. Many outlets in major cities have imposed strict rationing – no more than 10 litres per customer. Police are deployed at some stations to prevent hoarding of fuel in canisters.
– The fuel shortages are temporary, and the authorities are negotiating imports at acceptable prices – said Vladimir Putin during a meeting with government officials, as reported by Reuters. However, the scale of the problem suggests that imports will be needed for weeks, if not months.
Ukrainian drone strikes cripple refineries
The drone campaign has been ongoing for weeks, focusing on Russia’s refining infrastructure. The result is that Russia has lost about 30% of its oil processing capacity. This has forced Moscow to look for alternative supplies, a remarkable step for a country that prides itself on energy self-sufficiency.
Desperate import deal
Two tankers carrying gasoline produced in Indian refineries – ironically using Russian crude – are en route to Russian ports, bringing around 80,000 tonnes. Another 70,000 tonnes of gasoline were purchased from Belarus and delivered by rail in the first half of June. Yet these supplies are dwarfed by domestic demand: Russia consumes about 110,000 tonnes of petrol daily during the summer season.
Authorities have urged citizens to use public transport and prefer trains over cars for holiday travel. The government is also considering additional measures to manage fuel allocation.
Everyday life in crisis
At the grassroots level, the fuel crisis is disrupting daily life. Taxi drivers complain about soaring costs, and long-distance truckers face delays. In some regions, agricultural machinery has been affected, threatening harvests. The police presence at filling stations aims to curb panic buying, but the queues continue to grow.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Maxim Shipenkov/EPA/PAP
