3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 29
Summary
Putin said Russia faces a “certain deficit” of fuel and promised stronger protection for oil sites plus higher output after Ukrainian drones set a major southern refinery on fire.
Ukraine said its “long-range sanctions” hit two Russian refineries on Sunday, part of an intensified campaign to cut Moscow’s war revenue and bring the war’s costs home to Russians.
Fuel shortages have already produced long lines at petrol stations and rationing in multiple regions, with Putin also weighing a diesel export ban and drawing on gasoline reserves.
Western analysts say the refinery strikes are slowing Russia’s battlefield effort and increasing pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate, even as Putin insisted the attacks have “absolutely no effect” at the front.