Putin says Russia faces fuel shortages after Ukraine strikes
In this pool photo distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Vladimir Putin of Russia addresses the audience at the 23rd Congress of the United Russia party on June 28, 2026 in Moscow.
Yekaterina Shtukina | Afp | Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the country was facing a fuel shortage following long-range drone attacks on Ukraine’s key energy infrastructure, but stressed that the Kremlin was dealing with the problem.
The Russian President’s comments during an interview with a state television reporter on Sunday revealed for the first time in detail the extent to which Ukraine’s deep strike success has hampered Russia’s fuel production.
Putin said Russia will import more fuel and speed up the repair of oil facilities to end the “temporary deficit”. Associated Press.
“All damaged facilities are being repaired quite quickly, and the problems that have arisen are not critical,” Putin said. He also vowed to strengthen Russia’s air defense capacity to combat Ukraine’s medium- and long-range drone capabilities.
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian oil facilities in recent weeks in an attempt to cut off Moscow’s energy revenues and force Putin to end more than four years of war.
Attacks, including a massive explosion at Gazprom’s Moscow Refinery at the beginning of the month, have led analysts to suggest the dispute could shift in Ukraine’s favour.
Ukraine has also intensified its attacks on Crimea, which Russia captured by force in 2014, as part of its strategy to isolate the peninsula, and has benefited from a series of political fluctuations in recent weeks.
Putin speaking early on Sunday used a speech He went to the congress of the ruling United Russia party to reinforce the country’s determination to achieve its military goals and project Russia’s power.
Referring vaguely to the impact of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities, he said: “Yes, we see and realize our problems; at the same time, we respond to them.”
He added: “We will certainly overcome all the challenges we face today, including terrorist attacks on our territory and infrastructure.”
Cars queue at a gas station operated by the state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft in Moscow, Russia, on June 27, 2026. Russia has been experiencing a fuel crisis since mid-June due to increased drone attacks on Ukraine’s oil refineries.
Participant | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The President of Russia is also accepted During the meeting with government ministers and other officials, the impact of Ukraine’s drone attacks, queues at gas stations were highlighted and a complete ban on diesel exports was said to be being considered.
Russian oil refineries
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in question On Sunday, the country’s forces struck two more Russian oil refineries, one in the Krasnodar region, estimated to be about 200 miles from the front line, and one in the Yaroslavl region, about 435 miles from the Ukrainian border.
“Each of our long-term sanctions is a reduction in the resources working for the Russian war machine and a step towards peace,” Zelenskyy said via Telegram, according to Google’s translation.
There were no direct reports from Russian authorities about the strike. Governor of the Yaroslavl region, Mikhail Evraev, in question It was reported that a drone danger alert was issued on Sunday and traffic was closed for a short time on the road from Yaroslavl to Moscow.
