Putin acknowledges fuel shortages and refinery damage after Ukrainian strikes on Russia

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has claimed that damage from Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries is "not critical" but has said there is a need to increase the production of air defence systems to protect these facilities and improve the performance of units tasked with downing drones.

Source: Putin in an interview with Kremlin propagandist Pavel Zarubin, the transcript of which was posted on the Kremlin website

Quote: "As for strikes… on critically important infrastructure… of course, these strikes on facilities… do create problems, that is obvious. We are now seeing a certain shortage [of fuel], but it is not critical... There are several tasks we need to address.

The first task is to quickly and significantly increase the production of the most sought-after air defence systems."

Details: Putin also added that it is necessary to "ensure normal supply and eliminate this temporary shortage" – in particular, to "complete repairs more quickly, establish the necessary volume of imports, and… reliably protect these facilities [oil refineries and fuel depots]".

"It is also necessary to coordinate the work of all levels and structures involved in repelling attacks by UAVs and missiles on our infrastructure... The main task here is to protect people and minimise damage to the economy, to individual sectors of production and to industry," he said.

Meanwhile, he claimed that "all damaged facilities are being repaired quite quickly and the problems that arise are not of a critical nature", insisting that "everything is operating steadily and with a large safety margin".

He also stated that there is a fuel reserve "for several days" in temporarily occupied Crimea.

"Needs [for fuel in Crimea] will be met. We will also increase these supplies both overland and by sea. I am confident this task will be resolved," Putin said.

Previously: Putin convened a meeting on ensuring fuel supplies for Russia's domestic market on 28 June, where he acknowledged for the first time that the country is facing petrol supply problems following Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and fuel depots. He said authorities had "temporarily introduced a complete ban on the export of petrol and aviation fuel" and were considering a "complete ban on diesel fuel exports".

Background:

• Most Russian regions have been experiencing fuel shortages in 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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