Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Russia is facing growing fuel distribution problems, including queues at petrol stations and shortages of certain fuel grades, as Ukrainian strikes continue to pressure the country’s energy infrastructure.
Speaking at a meeting with energy sector officials on June 28, Putin admitted that “unfortunately, there are still lines at gas stations, and the right grade of gasoline isn't always available,” adding that agricultural producers are also affected during the summer period.
He said Russia has already begun using fuel reserves, which he claimed are down roughly 4% compared to last year. At the same time, he confirmed that the government has temporarily banned exports of gasoline and jet fuel, while a possible ban on diesel exports is also under discussion.
Putin stressed that authorities are working to increase production and reduce the impact of Ukrainian strikes on energy facilities, while attempting to stabilize domestic supply. In a separate interview, he acknowledged that Russia is experiencing a fuel deficit, though he described it as manageable.
“We are now observing a certain deficit, but not critical,” he said, adding that several operational issues still need to be resolved.
