{"id":1387,"date":"2026-07-03T04:38:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T04:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1387"},"modified":"2026-07-03T04:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T04:38:38","slug":"putin-shrugs-off-fuel-shortages-in-russia-as-he-ramps-up-attacks-on-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1387","title":{"rendered":"Putin shrugs off fuel shortages in Russia as he ramps up attacks on Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Despite severe fuel shortages<\/span> across Russia, President Vladimir Putin appears unbothered by Ukraine\u2019s increasing attacks on his country\u2019s oil refineries.<\/p>\n

Read more Powerful general in Iran emerges from hiding as Tehran prepares for Khamenei\u2019s dayslong funeral<\/a><\/p>\n

He has shrugged off the setback<\/span> for one of the world\u2019s leading oil producing nations as \u201cnot critical,\u201d dismissed ceasefire proposals and insisted the war will continue<\/span> until his goals are met.<\/p>\n

Putin has described the attacks on Russian energy as an effort by Ukraine to distract attention from its losses on the battlefield, although analysts say the advance of Russian forces has been stymied in recent months<\/span>. The Russian leader appears to believe his government can keep the fuel crisis from eroding his authority and support for the war he launched more than four years ago.<\/p>\n

The Russian military unleashed a massive 11-hour barrage<\/span> on the Ukrainian capital overnight into Thursday morning that killed at least 21 people. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv since the start of Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a deeper look at the latest exchange of strikes and Putin\u2019s refusal to halt the fighting:<\/p>\n

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Gas shortages worsen in Russia as more oil facilities are hit<\/h2>\n

There have been more than 50 reported Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and other energy facilities in Russia and the occupied Crimea since March \u2014 a barrage Ukrainian leaders have said is intended to pressure Moscow to end the war. <\/p>\n

At the very least, the attacks have brought the war home<\/span> even more poignantly for millions of Russians, shattering Putin\u2019s narrative of the conflict as something that doesn\u2019t affect the lives of ordinary people in his country.<\/p>\n

An estimated one-third of Russia\u2019s refining capacity has been cut off, according to Chris Weafer, CEO of the consultancy Macro-Advisory. The attacks have inflicted lasting damage that will be costly to fix.<\/p>\n

Despite significant air defenses protecting Russia\u2019s capital, a top refinery in Moscow<\/span> has been hit twice. The second strike on June 18 set it ablaze, damaging key equipment that will reportedly take until the end of the year to repair.<\/p>\n

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With gasoline production in Russia reduced by roughly 17% to 850,000 barrels a day, according to government statistics, rationing has been introduced in many regions, and motorists have had to wait in line for hours to refuel.<\/p>\n

Crimea<\/span>, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has faced the worst fuel shortages. Gasoline sales to individuals have been halted there altogether.<\/p>\n

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Putin downplays the impact of Ukrainian strikes<\/h2>\n

Putin chaired a meeting of government officials last weekend to discuss the fuel shortages.<\/p>\n

In televised statements, he acknowledged<\/span> the country was going through a \u201cdifficult period.\u201d He pledged to accelerate repairs of energy facilities and said Russia would consider importing gasoline to help make up for what he described as \u201ctemporary\u201d shortages. He also said Russia\u2019s arms industry will boost production of air defense systems to fend off future Ukrainian attacks.<\/p>\n

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