Inside Russia's Fuel Crisis: How Ukrainian Drone Strikes Left 17 Regions Rationing Gas

A sustained Ukrainian drone campaign against Russian oil refineries has pushed Russia into its worst fuel crisis in years. By late June 2026, at least 17 regions had imposed mandatory restrictions on gasoline and diesel sales, panic-buying spread across the country, and President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged a "certain deficit" of fuel for the first time. Here is a detailed, sourced breakdown of the strikes, the shortages, and the Kremlin's emergency response.

Putin's 'Difficult Period' Admission

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged for the first time that Russia is facing a "certain deficit" of fuel and described the period as "difficult" for the country. He vowed to strengthen protection of oil facilities and boost fuel output. His remarks came during a sustained, large-scale Ukrainian drone campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure.

The Immediate Triggering Strikes

June 28–29, 2026: Southern refinery blaze and deep strikes

• On June 28, Ukraine set fire to a major oil refinery in southern Russia, killing at least two people, according to Russian authorities. AP News reported this as part of a "heavy drone assault."
• Overnight on June 28–29, Ukraine struck two additional oil refineries deep inside Russian territory, confirmed by President Zelenskyy. The attacks further strained fuel supplies and forced Moscow to raise domestic output, imports, and facility protection.

Prior strikes that set the stage

• Moscow's largest refinery — the Kapotnya refinery in the city's southeast — was hit by two Ukrainian drone strikes within three days in mid-June. Both of its primary crude-processing units were disabled, halting all refining at the plant. Reuters reported that the damage will require at least six months of repairs and that the refinery is unlikely to resume full crude processing in 2026. The Carnegie Endowment noted that the Kapotnya strikes proved that even Moscow's heavy air defenses could not stop Ukrainian drones.

Resulting Fuel Shortages and Rationing

Russia is experiencing its worst nationwide fuel shortages in years.

• Rationing in 15–17+ regions: As of June 23–25, at least 15 to 17 Russian regions had imposed mandatory restrictions on gasoline and diesel sales. Dozens more reported de facto shortages or limits by private fuel companies.
• Oil-producing regions affected: Restrictions reached the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia's largest oil-producing region (about 40% of national output), underscoring the severity of the crisis.
• Moscow region supplier crippled: The Kapotnya refinery, the largest fuel supplier to the Moscow region, was completely knocked offline after the double strike.
• Widespread panic-buying: Gas station queues, empty pumps, and private sale limits have been reported across multiple regions, with local officials warning of worsening conditions.

Escalating Export Bans and Emergency Measures

The Kremlin has rolled out a cascade of restrictions on fuel exports to preserve domestic supply:

Measure	Date	Details
Jet fuel export ban	June 1, 2026	Banned jet fuel exports until the end of November to stabilize domestic supply after refinery strikes.
Gasoline export ban extended	Originally from 2025, extended into 2026	The ban on gasoline exports for non-producers (and later producers as well) was extended through the end of 2026, with some easing for producers in January to prevent inventory buildup.
Diesel export ban under consideration	June 24, 2026	Deputy PM Alexander Novak said the government is weighing a full ban on diesel exports to stabilize a "challenging" domestic market.
Fuel sales caps regionally	Late June 2026	Regional authorities imposed purchase limits (rationing) on gasoline and diesel at private and state-run stations.

Summary

Putin's "difficult period" admission on June 28 capped weeks of intensifying Ukrainian drone strikes that have knocked out or severely damaged multiple major refineries — most critically the Kapotnya plant supplying Moscow, which is expected to remain offline for months. The cumulative effect has driven Russia's worst fuel crisis in years, with at least 15–17 regions imposing rationing, panic-buying at pumps, and a raft of escalating government export bans on gasoline, jet fuel, and potentially diesel.