Vladimir Putin is facing mounting public unrest over fuel shortages in Russia linked to Ukrainian drone strikes, but a heavy-handed response could backfire, analysts believe.
Russia is facing a second wave of shortages this year with long queues reported at petrol stations across the country, including Moscow, fights over scarce supplies and public displays of dissent on social media.
Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that gasoline and diesel was available at just 28 per cent of stations nationwide in mid-August, down from 41 per cent a month ago.
Shorts
Major fuel companies have imposed limits of 50 to 60 litres per customer. Russian authorities have reintroduced previously banned, low-quality gasoline to plug the gap and have resorted to importing fuel from Belarus and India.
