Vladimir Putin’s Russia facing massive fuel crisis? Russians wait up to 18 hours for petrol, face supply shortages after Ukraine’s latest…

Russia, one of the world’s biggest oil producers and exporters, is facing an unexpected fuel crisis. Reports from different parts of the country suggest that people are waiting for up to 18 hours to buy petrol and gas. Long queues have formed outside fuel stations, and authorities have even deployed security guards at some pumps to maintain order.

The crisis comes after Ukraine stepped up drone attacks on Russian oil refineries over the past few weeks, damaging key energy infrastructure and disrupting fuel production. Despite Russia’s vast oil reserves, these attacks have affected the country’s domestic fuel supply.

Why is Russia facing a fuel shortage?

Ukraine has launched multiple drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, targeting several major oil refineries.

According to reports, Russia’s Norsi refinery, the country’s fourth-largest refinery, suffered heavy damage after repeated attacks in June. One of its major units was destroyed, forcing the refinery to stop selling petrol and diesel by July 2.

Norsi has become the fifth Russian refinery to shut down due to drone attacks. Reports suggest repairs could take up to a year. Other refineries, including Gazprom Neft’s Moscow refinery, Volgograd refinery, Kuibyshev refinery and Taneco refinery, have also suspended or reduced operations following attacks.

What are people experiencing on the ground?

The fuel shortage has led to massive queues across several Russian regions. In Irkutsk, around 5,000 kilometres from Ukraine, local authorities reportedly installed portable toilets near fuel stations because people were waiting for hours.

One Russian woman told The New York Times that she, her husband and their 18-month-old child joined a fuel queue at 11 pm and finally received gas around 5 pm the following day, after waiting nearly 18 hours.

Authorities are also dealing with black marketing and fuel hoarding. According to Reuters, police in Russia’s Krasnodar region detained two people after finding around 1,000 litres of petrol in their vehicle, suspecting they planned to sell it at inflated prices.

Can Russia solve the crisis?

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has said the country has enough fuel for domestic demand but added that panic buying has increased consumption by 20-30%. Russia is reorganising fuel logistics and has indicated it may suspend diesel exports to ensure local supplies.