Russia faces a growing fuel crisis as Ukrainian drone strikes cripple refineries, pushing gas prices up 40–50% and triggering widespread shortages, according to Fortune. Over 300 gas stations have closed, with rationing in Crimea and long lines reported nationwide. The Kremlin is rushing to boost imports and ease supply, but experts warn the crisis is straining Russia’s economy and public morale. They write:

Russia’s fuel crisis is worsening, and officials are no longer able to conceal the scale of the problem. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has begun issuing warnings to gas station operators across the country over what it calls unjustified price hikes, according to the Russian outlet Izvestia, as fuel prices have risen 40–50% since the start of the year, adding fresh inflationary pressure on the public.

With gas prices surging, many Russian gas station owners risk going out of business. On Sept. 24, Kommersant reported that roughly 50% of stations in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol had stopped selling gasoline amid severe supply disruptions. […]

The Russian economist Vladislav Inozemtsev said that Ukraine has “hit the nail on the head” by targeting refineries, creating the most complex fuel crisis Russia has faced in years. He estimates that more than 300 independent fuel retailers have been forced to shut down since May.

Data from the analytics firm Ciala highlights the scale of the crisis. By the end of Sept., nearly 38% of Russia’s refining capacity, or about 338,000 tons of crude per day, was offline. […]

The sustained pressure from Ukrainian drone strikes is creating mounting economic strain on Moscow. While unlikely to end the war outright, it is making it harder for Vladimir Putin to convince Russians that the fight is worth continuing with little to show on the battlefield, even as ordinary citizens struggle to find fuel.

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