Russian President Vladimir Putin said refinery repairs and additional fuel imports are underway after Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign hit key energy infrastructure.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Sunday that Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have contributed to a fuel shortage inside Russia, while saying the disruptions are temporary and damaged facilities are being repaired.
Putin made the comments to Russian state television after weeks of Ukrainian strikes on refineries and oil facilities intended to weaken Moscow’s war financing and strain the country’s domestic fuel system.
“All damaged facilities are being restored quite quickly, and the issues that arise are not critical,” Putin said, according to The Associated Press.
Putin said Russia is increasing fuel imports and accelerating repairs at affected refineries to address what he described as a “temporary deficit.”
The Russian leader also said Moscow will strengthen air defenses as Ukraine expands its use of mid- and long-range drones against Russian energy targets.
Putin later acknowledged long lines at gas stations during a meeting with government ministers. He said officials were considering a temporary ban on diesel exports to increase domestic fuel supplies.
Despite those pressures, Putin sought to reassure supporters during a speech to the ruling United Russia party congress.
“Yes, we see and realize our problems — we also respond to them,” Putin said.
“We will certainly handle all the challenges we are facing today, including terrorist attacks on our territory and our infrastructure,” he added.
Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russia’s oil industry in recent weeks. Kyiv has said the campaign is intended to reduce the Kremlin’s energy revenue and pressure Moscow to end the war, now in its fifth year.
One of the most significant recent attacks was a major explosion this month at Gazprom’s Moscow Refinery.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said Putin appeared to be acknowledging the impact of Ukraine’s strikes while attempting to project control over the situation.
“Putin did not explicitly discuss Ukraine’s strike campaign against Russia or the wide-scale gasoline shortages experienced across the entire country, but Putin is likely subtly trying to portray himself as cognizant of the economic and social struggles Russia is facing,” ISW researchers said in an analysis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Ukrainian forces struck two more Russian oil refineries in the Krasnodar and Yaroslavl regions.
“Each of our long-range sanctions is a reduction in the resources working for the Russian war machine, and another step towards peace,” Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post, according to a Google translation.
Russia’s central bank has forecast economic growth of 0.5% to 1.5% in 2026, reflecting broader concerns about the effect of war, sanctions and infrastructure attacks on the Russian economy.
Russian central bank Deputy Governor Alexey Zabotkin said continued disruptions in the fuel sector could weigh on economic output.
“Of course, the situation where the fuel sector operates below full capacity for several months will probably take something out of this year’s GDP results,” Zabotkin told reporters Monday, according to Reuters.
Ukraine’s campaign against Russian refineries has become a key part of Kyiv’s long-range strategy. By striking oil infrastructure far from the front lines, Ukrainian officials are seeking to reduce fuel availability, disrupt exports and increase the economic cost of the war for Moscow.
Putin’s remarks marked a rare public acknowledgment that the strikes are affecting Russia’s domestic fuel supply, even as he insisted the Kremlin can manage the pressure and restore damaged facilities.