Fuel Crunch Deepens as Ukraine Strikes Hit Russia’s Oil Network
ISW reports that Russian authorities and major oil firms are tightening gasoline and diesel sales across many regions after Ukraine’s strikes hit oil infrastructure, with limits of 30–90 liters per customer and cash-only in some cases; the Moscow Oil Refinery was damaged, reducing refining capacity by about 30% and contributing to a 16-year low in Russian gasoline production. Russia is expected to continue shortages through the summer as Ukraine’s campaign disrupts refining and logistics, while President Zelensky seeks high-level talks with Putin (though the Kremlin remains reluctant). There are also reports that Russia plans to manufacture more Oreshnik IRBMs, with only one remaining operational from prior contracts, signaling ongoing strategic pressures alongside contested battlefield progress.