Extensive drone attack against refineries in Russia sparks acute fuel crisis
[85907] Extensive drone attack against refineries in Russia sparks acute fuel crisis
Ukrainian drone attacks on major oil facilities in Russia, including the Moscow refinery, have led to severe fuel shortages and sales restrictions across the country.
Fuel crisis in Russia: Drone attack hits the heart of the Russian oil industry
On June 16, 2026, Ukrainian forces carried out a large-scale attack on strategic energy infrastructure in Russia, the highlight of which was a direct hit on the Moscow refinery. According to Times of Ukraine, the facility is responsible for about 40% of the gasoline and 50% of the diesel needs of the capital city. President Zelensky confirmed the strike on the facility, which is located just 15 kilometers from the Kremlin, and noted its strategic importance.
Following the attacks, channels such as Україна Online reported on the imposition of restrictions on fuel sales across Russia, with companies such as "Tatneft" beginning to limit sales. The ЗСУ ДВІЖ channel reports that a coupon system has been introduced in some districts, and long lines have been observed at gas stations in many cities, which is described by Ukrainian sources as Russia's transition from an "energy superpower" to a "gas station without fuel."
BBC NEWS Україна notes that this is one of the most severe fuel crises in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with estimates that nearly a third of the country's refining capacity is currently disabled. In the BDSN security forum, they emphasized that "the refinery will not be fixed by Solovyov, and the facility will not be operated by Putin," in reference to Russia's technological limitations in repairing damage under sanctions.
Sources identified with Ukrainian media, including UA Stream, attribute the success of the operation to the close coordination of the SBU, under the leadership of Yevgeny Khamra, who, according to them, is trying to exhaust the Russian war economy by damaging the military's logistical supply chain. It should be noted that all sources reviewed hold a distinctly pro-Ukrainian position and emphasize the direct consequences of the strike on Russia's combat capability at the front.