Russian regions ration fuel as Ukrainian strikes hit oil infrastructure

At least 15 Russian regions have implemented restrictions on gasoline and diesel sales, as the country grapples with a deepening fuel crisis exacerbated by Ukrainian drone attacks on its oil refineries. Russian-installed authorities in occupied Crimea have suspended fuel sales to private individuals and businesses, citing severe shortages and a weak tourist season.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-backed head of Crimea, announced that gas stations would no longer sell fuel to anyone except state agencies, with no timeline given for the restoration of sales. While occupation authorities have struggled to supply the region's residents, the fuel crisis has intensified amid Ukraine's accelerated campaign of drone strikes targeting fuel trucks and key Russian oil refineries, pipelines, and related infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described these strikes as "long-range sanctions" against Russia, aiming to disrupt the oil revenues that largely finance its war effort. Aksyonov confirmed strikes targeted Kerch, claiming four people were killed and 28 injured, though RFE/RL could not independently verify reports from the occupied region. Meanwhile, Russian strikes continued to hit civilian targets across Ukraine.

Diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump's administration to negotiate peace have stalled, with Kyiv and Moscow remaining far apart on their negotiating positions.