Ukrainian Drone Strikes Spark Fuel Shortages Across Russia’s Core Regions

Since May 2026, a sustained Ukrainian drone campaign has damaged a substantial share of Russia’s gasoline-refining capacity. The loss—estimated at roughly 65 % of average seasonal consumption in early July—has triggered acute fuel shortages in the Moscow region and the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea. Authorities have responded by rerouting supplies from Siberia, increasing imports from Belarus and India, and imposing emergency measures to curb civilian consumption.

Reuters

Ukraine stepped up long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries to undermine Moscow’s war logistics. The strikes have knocked out between 20 % and 40 % of the country’s total refining capacity, according to the International Energy Agency. The disruption spread across all 11 Russian time zones, with the Moscow Oil Refinery hit in mid-June, prompting long queues at local stations. Crimea, the first Russian-controlled region to feel the fuel crunch, has also been targeted.

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• Russia’s gasoline output fell to about 65 % of average seasonal consumption in early July.

Reuters

• The Moscow region, home to 22 million people, consumes roughly 6 million tons of gasoline per year. Traders estimate that “several hundred thousand metric tons” have been redirected from Siberian and Urals refineries to the capital.

Reuters

• More than 70 % of Crimea’s 2.5 million residents have experienced power outages, and fuel queues have become a daily reality.

The Guardian

• Ukrainian forces have struck over 240 Russian military trucks in the first week of July and hit 90 vessels supplying Crimea by July 12, according to open-source analysis.

The Guardian

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia’s domestic fuel market had “partly stabilised,” while acknowledging ongoing difficulties. President Vladimir Putin instructed subsidies for Crimea and Sevastopol to finance fuel purchases and lower petrol prices, describing the shortages as “temporary problems.” Crimea’s Russian-installed head Sergei Aksyonov declared a state of emergency and temporarily banned private motorists from buying fuel to preserve supplies for the military and emergency services.

The Guardian

Residents of Crimea describe daily life as a struggle for basic necessities. Marina, who runs a guesthouse in Yevpatoria, recalled officials promised the peninsula was “100 % protected.” In Russia’s hinterland, villagers such as Irina Tryaskina and Aleksandr Vasilyev report traveling dozens of kilometres to the nearest fueling station, often with empty jerry cans, and worry about winter preparedness.

The Guardian

Sources differ on the precise share of refining capacity knocked offline: industry observers cite a 20-40 % loss, while Reuters reports output at 65 % of seasonal demand. No source provides a definitive figure for the total volume of fuel imported from Belarus, India or other external suppliers, leaving the overall scale of the import response unclear.

Reuters

• “For 12 years they told us Crimea was 100% protected,” — Marina

The Guardian

• “They keep telling us these are only temporary problems,” — Dmitry, independent Russian journalist

The Guardian

Russia will continue importing gasoline from Belarus and India while maintaining the redirection of Siberian supplies to the Moscow region. Ukrainian analysts expect further drone strikes on Crimea’s logistics routes, including the Kerch Bridge, as part of a broader effort to isolate the peninsula. The Kremlin has signaled that subsidies will remain in place until the fuel situation improves, but no concrete timeline has been announced.

The Guardian