Ukraine’s relentless air strikes on Kremlin’s energy facilities have undermined Russia’s energy infrastructure and triggered fuel shortage.
Long-range Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia knocked out 20 percent of the country’s oil refining capacity in August, according to the Economist. The situation is particularly grave for Russian oil markets due to peak seasonal demands amid upcoming harvesting season. Air strikes on Russian energy facilities have also caused fuel shortage and hike in prices. Russian Telegram channels have been reporting long lines of cars waiting for fuel outside of gas stations across Russia and in occupied parts of Ukraine. There is particular shortage of AI-95 gasoline in Moscow and across Russian regions. According to social media reports, gasoline is being distributed by cards and coupons in some regions, including in Krasnokamensk.
Ukraine has welcomed Russia’s energy crisis, with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak saying on August 20: “That’s what happens when you attack Ukrainians.”
The targeting of Russia’s energy infrastructure is not merely Kyiv’s retaliation to similar attacks on Ukraine. Undermining of Russia’s energy facilities is aimed at weakening Kremlin’s war efforts and brining the war to everyday lives of Russian citizens.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week pledged to continue striking Russia’s energy infrastructure, stressing that these attacks were retaliatory. “Ukraine responds to Russia’s attacks on our energy facilities, and will keep doing so,” Zelenskiy said at a joint news conference with the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico on Saturday. Zelenskiy urged Fico to cut off oil supplies from Russia. Slovakia and Hungary have been in spat with Ukraine over the bombing of Druzhba oil pipeline last month that disrupted Russian oil supplies to these countries. The pipeline transports Russian oil through Ukraine and Belarus to Central Europe, where Hungary and Slovakia import large amounts.
