Russian authorities have arrested individuals complaining of domestic fuel shortages as Ukrainian drone strikes continue to target Russia's oil infrastructure. In Moscow and surrounding regions, officials have implemented purchase limits on fuel, capping sales at 50 to 60 liters per vehicle. The restrictions follow reported shortages in at least 12 regions, where some motorists have waited up to 30 hours for fuel.
The shortage stems from a campaign of aerial strikes that has reportedly disabled nearly one-third of Russia's major oil refineries since early August. According to reporting, July oil processing fell to 3.6 million barrels per day, a level one-third below the seasonal average and the lowest recorded since May 2000. In response, the Russian government has reintroduced Euro-2 fuel standards, which were banned in 2013, and is reportedly seeking fuel imports from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Legal actions against residents have been reported in several cities. In Volgograd, police detained five people who filmed a video appeal regarding fuel distribution, citing an unauthorized public gathering. One resident in Perm received a 10,000-rouble fine for mentioning a planned protest on a messaging app. Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilyov acknowledged the long queues but stated that fuel, particularly diesel, remains available.
The scale of the disruption is tied to the loss of refining capacity, with one-third of major facilities affected. Residents in 80 regions are experiencing a total lack of petrol, and states of emergency have been declared in Crimea and parts of the Urals. These conditions have led to documented physical altercations at gas stations and a shift in public sentiment, with polling suggesting an increased desire for the end of the conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian government’s reliance on stop-gap measures—such as importing gasoline from India and lowering environmental standards—indicates a persistent strain on the national energy grid. If refinery repairs, which could take up to six months at some locations, are not completed and strikes continue, the supply gap may widen. Future developments include the ongoing enforcement of export bans and the potential for increased domestic repression as authorities manage public dissent.
Russian officials have not provided a specific date for when full supply will be restored. While Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak previously cited "partial stabilisation," the ongoing drone strikes have rendered such respites temporary. Further monitoring of refinery repair timelines and import agreements with neighboring countries will determine if supply stabilizes by the end of the year.