Fuel crunch in Russia: Putin admits ‘shortage’ as Ukraine drone attacks batter energy sites (AP image) Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Sunday, acknowledged that sustained Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure have caused fuel shortages in several regions, while insisting the disruptions are manageable and vowing to continue Moscow’s military campaign.Speaking in an interview published by the Kremlin , Putin said the strikes on oil refineries and fuel facilities had created supply challenges but were not severe enough to derail Russia’s operations.”As for strikes against critical infrastructure in general, and energy infrastructure in particular, of course these attacks on our infrastructure facilities create problems, that’s obvious,” Putin said. “Right now we’re observing a certain shortage, but it’s not critical.”This remarks come amid Ukrainian intensified medium- and long-range drone strikes against Russian industrial and energy facilities in recent weeks, targeting refineries and fuel storage sites in regions including Krasnodar and Yaroslavl.Fuel supply measures underwayPutin said the government had established a task force to ensure adequate fuel supplies across the country, with particular focus on Crimea and the agricultural sector. He added that authorities were considering a temporary ban on diesel exports to prioritise domestic demand.”You are well aware that problems for drivers and for businesses persist,” Putin told officials. “Unfortunately, there are still queues at gas stations too.”He also called for strengthening Russia’s air defence systems to reduce the impact of Ukrainian drone attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.Putin rejects proposal to scale back strikesPutin said Ukraine had proposed limiting long-range strikes as part of efforts to move toward peace but argued that the offer was aimed at easing pressure on Ukrainian forces along the roughly 1,250-kilometre front line.”It is clear why this proposal is being made, because our counter-strikes deep into Ukrainian territory are much stronger, have greater impact and are, frankly, more destructive,” Putin said.”Given their catastrophic shortage of personnel, the Ukrainian Armed Forces apparently believe this could be their salvation. But saving the Kyiv regime is not part of our plans,” he added.Measures underway to ease crunchPutin said the government is considering a range of measures to stabilise Russia’s domestic fuel market, including a possible ban on diesel exports, but stressed that any decision must avoid creating fresh problems for oil producers.”We have gathered here to prevent any steps that may be unnecessary. We should not create additional issues for ourselves,” he said.While Russia’s energy ministry has advised against an immediate diesel export ban, authorities are expected to review the situation again, according to Bloomberg report.Deputy prime minister Alexander Novak also said the government will decide next week whether to extend a zero import-duty rate on gasoline, while continuing exports only in volumes that do not undermine domestic fuel supplies.
