Russia's Fuel Shortage Deepens Amid Ukrainian Drone Strikes

Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck Russian refineries since early 2026, notably the Moscow Oil Refinery and TANECO in Tatarstan, cutting gasoline output by 25 % and dropping daily production from about 120,000 tons in March to around 85,000 tons. The shortfall of 25,000 tons per day versus a summer demand of 110,000 tons follows the shutdown of the two plants, which eliminated roughly 15,000 tons daily. Belarus supplies 100,000-150,000 tons per month, and Russia is negotiating a 50,000-ton AI-92 gasoline import from Kazakhstan. Jet-fuel prices at Russian airports have risen over 17 % since June, with a 64 % surge in Makhachkala to 157,000 rubles per ton (ex-VAT). To mitigate the gap, the government plans to relax fuel-quality standards to Euro-3, adding up to 200,000 tons of gasoline per month.

Gasoline production in Russia falls by 25% after Ukraine steps up drone attacks on oil refineriesReutersFuel shortage grows in Crimea due to strikes on refineries - intelligence reports crisis on the peninsulaAzimut Reports Jet Fuel Shortage and Rising Prices in Russia

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov said Astana has not received an official request from Moscow for gasoline supplies, while the Russian government weighs export restrictions, subsidies for refiners and seaborne gasoline imports—unusual for a major exporter. It has extended the export ban until the end of July and lowered fuel-quality limits to allow sulfur content. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate called the strikes “long-range sanctions” that cut Russian oil exports and war-funding revenues. Azimut, a Russian airline, argues that the jet-fuel shortage makes scheduled flights unprofitable, stating that flights have lost all economic sense.

ReutersAzimut Reports Jet Fuel Shortage and Rising Prices in RussiaFuel shortage grows in Crimea due to strikes on refineries - intelligence reports crisis on the peninsulaGasoline production in Russia falls by 25% after Ukraine steps up drone attacks on oil refineries

In the Russian-occupied Crimea, residents face gasoline scarcity; a resident of Armyansk said, “We have no gasoline. The trains run poorly… Minibuses don’t run at all… everything will get worse by summer,”. The administration capped sales at 20 liters per car weekly, causing queues in Sevastopol and Yevpatoria. Conflicting reports: Kazakh officials deny a formal request for supplies, while other sources cite ongoing talks for a 50,000-ton import, leaving the volume uncertain. UNN and Sovanews lack quantified reliability, creating gaps in Russian data on the shortage’s scale.

Fuel shortage grows in Crimea due to strikes on refineries - intelligence reports crisis on the peninsula

• “flights lose all economic sense.” — Azimut, Russian airline

Azimut Reports Jet Fuel Shortage and Rising Prices in Russia

• “We have no gasoline. The trains run poorly. Eight hours from Armyansk to Simferopol by train. Minibuses don't run at all. Well, this started now, about two weeks ago. Apparently, everything will get worse by summer,” — Resident of Armyansk, Crimea

Fuel shortage grows in Crimea due to strikes on refineries - intelligence reports crisis on the peninsula

• “The GUR emphasizes that the fuel crisis in the occupied territories is one of the consequences of strikes on infrastructure that supports Russia's military machine.” — Main Intelligence Directorate, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Fuel shortage grows in Crimea due to strikes on refineries - intelligence reports crisis on the peninsula

• “Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov earlier said Astana had not received an official request from Moscow for gasoline supplies.” — Erlan Akkenzhenov, Kazakhstan Energy Minister

Reuters

Russia plans to increase seaborne gasoline imports and may further relax fuel-quality rules as summer demand peaks. Ukrainian forces have signalled continued drone operations against refineries, suggesting the shortage could persist or worsen. Monitoring jet-fuel market dynamics and state interventions will be critical for Russian aviation.

Fuel shortage grows in Crimea due to strikes on refineries - intelligence reports crisis on the peninsula