Russia is experiencing a second round of fuel shortages after Ukraine stepped up
strikes on Russian refineries. Data compiled from public statements by both
sides show Ukrainian forces have hit Russian crude-processing facilities at
least 21 times in August, a monthly record. Attacks eased briefly in late July,
temporarily improving supplies, but shortages have returned even in Moscow and
surrounding regions — historically Russia’s largest fuel-consuming and
best-supplied area — where residents report queues of 30–50 cars at gas
stations. Ukraine has struck four of Russia’s ten largest refineries this month;
those plants were built to secure fuel for the country’s most densely populated,
industrial regions.
