Putin admits fuel shortages in Russia: petrol export ban already in place, diesel could be next
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has for the first time acknowledged that Russia is facing shortages of motor fuel following Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and fuel depots.
Source: Putin at a meeting on ensuring fuel supplies for the domestic market, posted on the Kremlin website
Quote: "Problems remain both for motorists and for businesses: unfortunately, there are still queues at petrol stations and the required grade of petrol is not always available."
Details: Putin added that Russia has "temporarily introduced a complete ban on the export of petrol and aviation fuel in the interests of domestic consumers".
"The need to introduce a complete ban on diesel fuel exports is also under consideration," he said.
Putin stated that Russia is currently "making maximum use of the capacity of its largest oil refineries", while "the potential of medium-sized and smaller facilities is also being utilised".
Background:
- Fuel shortages have spread across most Russian regions since June following repeated Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries
- According to Reuters estimates, Russia has lost around 25% of its petrol production capacity as a result of the attacks, while overall oil refining volumes have fallen to their lowest level in 21 years.
- As the fuel crisis worsens, the Russian government is considering a complete ban on diesel exports and subsidies for fuel imports.
- The Russian occupation authorities in Crimea announced new restrictions on petrol sales under which fuel can no longer be purchased by anyone except representatives of the occupation administration.
- At least 15 Russian regions introduced restrictions on fuel sales on 23 June as Russia's fuel crisis deepened amid shortages of petrol and diesel.
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