Russian troops complain of fuel shortages on front lines
Russian army (Photo: Getty Images)
After massive strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Russian oil refineries, a fuel crisis has even begun in the Russian army. Russian troops are complaining that there is practically nothing to refuel their equipment with, according to Verstka.
Several servicemen told journalists about reduced gasoline and diesel supplies and the introduction of restrictions on refueling military equipment. According to one of the soldiers, while previously fuel was issued in the volume necessary to carry out tasks, now there is a limit of no more than 20 liters per vehicle per day.
"Yeah, the gasoline situation is a total mess. Everyone gets very little; there’s a catastrophic shortage of gasoline," said the Russian soldier.
Other servicemen also reported reductions in supplies. One of the mobilized soldiers estimated the reduction at 30%. According to him, the restrictions affected not only combat vehicles but also those used to deliver ammunition and food.
A soldier from the Zaporizhzhia direction said that previously about 20 liters of gasoline were brought to the position, but now only 10–15. Due to the fuel shortage, he and his comrades have to walk 11 kilometers on foot to deliver water, food, and other resources. He stated that he does not understand how to fight under such conditions: "It just keeps getting worse."
Context of the news
Over the past two months, Ukrainian drones have halted up to 40% of Russia's oil refining capacity, and a third of the country has been left without fuel. The fuel crisis has affected 50 million citizens of the aggressor country.
At the same time, Russian leader Vladimir Putin acknowledged the existence of supply problems but stated that the situation, in his words, is not critical.
In addition, Russia is already taking gasoline from Belarus that was destined for Central Asian countries. However, even record volumes of such supplies do not make it possible to fully eliminate the shortage.
