Russia runs out of petrol at seven in 10 stations as fuel crisis worsens

Ukraine's sustained drone campaign targeting Russia's energy infrastructure has triggered severe fuel shortages across the country, a crisis significant enough to warrant official acknowledgment from the Kremlin. The disruption has manifested visibly in Moscow, where drivers are facing queues at gas stations for the first time in recent years, indicating a critical strain on the capital's supply networks. The shortages stem from repeated strikes on refineries and storage facilities, which have drastically reduced Russia's capacity to process and distribute petroleum products domestically.

To address the deficit, Russian authorities have reintroduced low-grade fuel that had previously been banned, a measure reflecting the urgency to restore availability despite quality concerns. Concurrently, the government has intensified efforts to suppress public criticism of the situation, detaining residents who have complained about the scarcity or shared related information online. These actions highlight the compounding pressures on Moscow