Putin acknowledges lack of fuel supply in Russia and announces measures

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged this Sunday that there is a lack of fuel supply in Russia and has consequently announced a series of measures. The lack of fuel is due to Ukrainian drone attacks against the Russian oil industry in retaliation for Moscow’s military offensive.

“There are queues at gas stations and the types of gasoline needed are not always available,” Putin said during a meeting of the Council of Ministers.

The Russian president has also revealed that “the possibility of completely banning the export of diesel is being studied,” according to Russian media reports.

Putin has explained that “the largest refineries are operating at maximum capacity” and small and medium-sized companies are being surveyed. “Routine maintenance periods have been reduced and scheduled maintenance has been postponed. For July, it is estimated that primary fuel production will exceed that of June,” the Russian president noted.

He has also reported that the accumulated fuel reserves have already been injected into the domestic market, but, even with this measure, Russian gasoline reserves stand at 1.7 million tons, almost the same amount as on the same date in 2025. “There is a slight drop of only 4%,” Putin pointed out.

“We are obviously aware of the problems that agricultural producers and farms have during the summer. Everything possible is being done to ensure that agricultural companies have the planned fuel supply because the harvest depends on it,” he argued.

This same Sunday, Putin participated in the 23rd Congress of the United Russia party, prior to the legislative elections scheduled for September 20. Putin has assured that on the September lists “there will be many young people”, members of “a generation that will define the future.”

“I want to take this opportunity to greet our youngest colleagues on the Youth Day that was celebrated yesterday. I am convinced that they will do admirably in the electoral campaign and in their future work,” he added.