[78939] Russia's fuel crisis intensifies following unprecedented wave of attacks on oil facilities

Russia's fuel crisis: The consequences of Ukrainian attacks

According to reports in the Times of Ukraine, Russia is facing a severe fuel crisis after a series of Ukrainian attacks in May hit 8 out of the 10 largest refineries in the country. The data, also published in Bloomberg, indicates that Russia's oil refining volume has plummeted to its lowest level since October 2009. Оперативний ЗСУ note that Ukraine has achieved a breakthrough in the use of long-range drones, with approximately 10-12% of them striking strategic targets related to oil storage and transportation.

In response to the growing shortage, the Russian government has imposed a blanket ban on the export of jet fuel until November 30, 2026, as reported by Радіо Свобода. This measure adds to previous bans on the export of gasoline and diesel. ТСН and PEKHNO report that the crisis is felt particularly in the occupied Crimean Peninsula, where long queues at gas stations and the use of vouchers have been observed due to severe logistical difficulties and disruptions in supply routes.

At the same time, global markets are reacting with concern to the escalation in the Middle East. Reuters and Бізнес Цензор report that Brent and WTI crude oil prices have risen by more than 2% against the backdrop of an exchange of strikes between the US and Iran and Israel's military advance in Lebanon. Пхеньянська Правда note that the Trump administration's diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon have failed at this stage, which adds significant uncertainty to global energy prices.

Analysts warn that the Russian economy is under heavy pressure. According to Андрющенко Time, Russia's budget deficit in 2026 reached 5.9 trillion rubles within the first four months of the year, forcing the Kremlin to prioritize military spending over the civilian sector, even while global oil prices are high.