Gasoline shortages return to Russia due to drone strikes on refineries - Reuters
Photo: Gasoline shortages return to Russia (Getty Images)
Gasoline production in Russia fell to about 70% of domestic consumption levels in late August. This came after a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, Reuters reports.
Fuel shortages return
According to the outlet, fuel shortages in Russian regions resumed in late August after a brief break in July, when local authorities tried to ease sales restrictions.
Production figures fell to the critical levels seen in early July, when the first wave of the fuel crisis peaked after building since May. Cars are once again lining up in long queues at gas stations, including in Rostov-on-Don.
Which refineries were hit
Over the past week, drones successfully attacked several major Russian oil refineries that are key producers of automotive gasoline.
In particular, damage and fires forced refineries in Perm, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl to fully or partially halt operations.
Fuel crisis in Russia
Earlier, Russia's economy came under serious pressure due to its aggression against Ukraine, which has led to systematic strikes on oil refining infrastructure.
Because of extensive damage to refinery control facilities and critical processing units, drivers in many Russian regions are already waiting in gas station lines for hours.
At many gas stations, fuel is disappearing from sale altogether, despite repeated claims by local authorities that the market is supposedly stabilizing.
Amid the large-scale shortage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mocked Russia's gasoline problems.
He pointed out that a country that had built its economy for years on energy exports is now being forced by its own actions to look for and import fuel.
