Ukrainian drone attacks create fuel shortage across at least 20 Russian regions

Russia's fuel crisis is deepening as Ukrainian drones target multiple oil refineries across the country. At least 20 regions have implemented petrol sales restrictions. Officials claim the problem is driven by "panic demand" rather than actual fuel scarcity.

Russia's fuel crisis is expanding following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on the country's oil refineries. As of 24 June 2026, petrol sales restrictions are in effect across at least 20 Russian regions.

Drone attacks halt production

Ukrainian unmanned aircraft have struck oil refining facilities throughout Russia, forcing them to suspend or reduce production. The result has been fuel shortages at petrol stations across large parts of the country, with queues at filling stations becoming a daily sight.

Russian officials, however, have been cautious about acknowledging the true extent of the problem. Authorities frequently blame the queues on "overheated demand" rather than actual fuel scarcity.

Novak versus Sechin: divergent positions

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak told President Putin that the situation on the fuel market is under control, while simultaneously acknowledging "periodically occurring objective logistics problems in individual regions and at individual filling stations". Novak made no mention in his public statements of any connection between drone attacks and reduced production volumes.

Igor Sechin, head of Rosneft, was more direct in his letter to Putin, describing damage inflicted on Russia's oil refineries as resulting from drone strikes "on an unprecedented scale".

Restrictions spreading across the country

Measures implemented by the authorities have so far failed to produce the desired result. Each day brings additional restrictions on fuel sales in new regions. In some areas, petrol sales in canisters have been banned; in others, the amount of fuel allowed per vehicle has been limited.

Moscow and St Petersburg authorities have shifted responsibility for the restrictions to petrol station networks themselves, claiming they have not directly imposed any restrictions.

The situation illustrates the extent to which Ukraine's drone warfare strategy is targeting Russian energy infrastructure, and demonstrates that the attacks are having a real impact on Russia's civilian economy and the daily lives of its citizens.