Key facts
- Russians are facing significant petrol shortages, with long queues forming at stations.
- The shortages are attributed to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.
- Russia is importing petrol and has temporarily allowed the sale of lower-grade fuel.
- President Putin acknowledged damage from attacks but stated there are no critical consequences.
- Public anxiety is reportedly rising despite official reassurances.
- Patriotic events are being held, featuring military hardware and nationalistic messaging.
Russians are experiencing widespread petrol shortages, marked by long queues at filling stations across Moscow and other regions. The situation is attributed by officials to unscheduled repairs at oil refineries, which have been impacted by ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes. This marks a significant escalation, as such attacks have continued to target Russia's energy infrastructure.
Drivers like Svyatoslav in Moscow have been waiting for hours, with some stations running out of fuel entirely. Elizaveta and Lyubov, another driver from the provinces, described empty stations along their routes and lengthy waits. The "second wave of the fuel crisis" is reportedly building, with authorities struggling to resolve issues related to refining capacity and logistics.
In response, Russia has begun importing petrol, an extraordinary measure for an energy-exporting nation. The government has also temporarily authorized the production and sale of lower-grade petrol, such as Euro 2, which is faster to produce but carries risks for modern vehicles. This move highlights the strain on the country's fuel supply.
Beyond fuel, Ukrainian strikes on distribution centers of Wildberries, Russia's Amazon equivalent, are also causing economic disruption. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that these attacks "do inflict damage" but asserted that there are "no critical consequences." However, recent polling suggests a growing disconnect between the Kremlin's narrative and public sentiment, with anxiety reportedly on the rise.
Columnist Andrei Kolesnikov noted a "permanent feeling of anxiety" and a shortened planning horizon among Russians, suggesting the Kremlin's message of calm is not resonating. Amidst these difficulties, patriotic events like Russian Flag Day celebrations are taking place, featuring patriotic announcements, concerts, and displays of military hardware, including weapons for children to handle. Some citizens, like pensioner Tatyana, view these hardships as a means of national unity, while others, such as Angelina, express concerns about safety due to the drone attacks, with one woman reporting her windows shaking from nearby explosions.