Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged fuel shortages in parts of the country, saying additional measures are needed to stabilise the domestic market while ensuring uninterrupted supplies following repeated attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure.
Speaking at a meeting with government officials and executives from major energy companies, Putin said some petrol stations were experiencing queues and shortages of popular fuel grades, although he insisted the situation was “not critical.”
“Right now we’re observing a certain shortage, but it’s not critical,” Putin said, according to an interview published by the Kremlin on June 28, adding that authorities were aware of the difficulties facing motorists as well as agricultural producers during the busy summer season.
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To ease pressure on the domestic market, Putin said Russia had temporarily banned exports of petrol and kerosene-based aviation fuel and was considering extending the restrictions to diesel exports.
“In the interests of domestic consumers, we have imposed a temporary ban on exports of petrol and kerosene-based aviation fuel. We are considering a full ban on exports of diesel fuels,” he said.
Putin said Russia’s largest oil refineries were operating at full capacity, while maintenance work at several facilities had been shortened or postponed to boost production.
