Russia Admits New Petrol Shortages as Ukrainian Strikes Hit Refineries

Russian authorities acknowledged Friday that some regions face new petrol shortages, as Ukraine steps up attacks on the country’s oil refineries. Ukraine has concentrated its long range drone and missile strikes on refineries as it seeks to blunt Russia’s capacity to pursue the war between the neighbours.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Russia has shut down one major refinery at Orsk – around 1,300 kilometres (810 miles) from the front line – for six months after it was attacked this week. “The situation remains tense in several regions of the country regarding fuel supplies to service stations,” the government said in a social media post. Oil companies are “taking the necessary measures to increase deliveries to the most vulnerable regions”, according to the statement. It said a government meeting had been held on the shortages and the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for energy, Alexander Novak, has ordered that fuel prices be monitored. Companies and car drivers have suffered repeat shortages in recent months because of the conflict. Nearly every Russian region has at some point had to limit fuel sales or impose other kinds of rationing, such as banning the filling of jerry cans. The Krasnodar region on the Black Sea, known for its tourist beaches, has been one of the worst hit. “The situation regarding petrol supplies at service stations has become complicated,” regional governor Venyamin Kondratyev said. Other Topics of Interest Why Putin Chose the Kurils Now – and What It Means for Ukraine Putin’s first visit to the disputed Kuril islands signals Moscow’s widening confrontation with the West and carries implications far beyond Japan. Oil companies “have again started imposing restrictions on the amount of fuel supplied and reduced service station opening hours”, he added. “This is causing concern among the region’s residents and visitors,” the governor added, stating that he had asked the authorities to send more fuel. Ukraine has been targeting Russian energy sites with drones and missiles for months, aiming to hit a vital source of revenue for Russia’s military. The governor of the Orenburg region, where the Orsk refinery is located, said Thursday it had been shut down and repairs would take months.