MOSCOW — Sustained Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have disrupted fuel production across Russia, contributing to widespread gasoline shortages, rationing measures and rising prices as Moscow scrambles to stabilize domestic supplies, according to Russian officials, industry sources and energy analysts.
The strikes, which have intensified in recent months, have targeted refineries, fuel depots and other energy facilities deep inside Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on July 1 that Ukrainian forces had struck an oil refinery in the city of Ufa as part of what he described as a campaign to degrade Russia's war-fighting capabilities. Russian authorities have acknowledged attacks on energy infrastructure but have not publicly confirmed the full extent of the resulting damage.
Industry sources told Reuters that repeated attacks have significantly reduced Russia's refining capacity, with roughly one-quarter of the country's refining output disrupted after damage to multiple facilities. Several major refineries have either halted operations or sharply reduced production while repairs are carried out.
The supply disruptions have led to fuel rationing in numerous Russian regions, long queues at filling stations and record domestic gasoline prices. Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged temporary shortages and said authorities are working to restore supplies. Russia's parliament has also approved tax measures intended to ease the impact of the fuel crisis and support imports.
Industry sources said Russia has begun importing gasoline from India and increased purchases from neighboring Belarus to supplement domestic supplies. Around 60,000 metric tons of gasoline have already been shipped from India, with additional cargoes expected as Moscow seeks to secure about 400,000 metric tons of imports per month.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russia's energy infrastructure, arguing that refinery strikes undermine fuel supplies used to support Russia's military operations while imposing economic costs on Moscow. Russian officials, meanwhile, accuse Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure and have continued long-range missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy and fuel facilities.
Analysts say repairing damaged refineries could take months because of the complexity of replacing specialized equipment and the risk of additional attacks. They warn that domestic fuel shortages may persist through the summer if refining capacity is not restored and further strikes continue, even as Russian authorities pursue imports and logistical measures to ease pressure on the market.
