Russia's 2026 Fuel Crisis: Putin Vows 'Several Times More Powerful' Retaliation as Ukrainian Drones Disable 43% of Refining Capacity

Key facilities hit include the Moscow oil refinery, which ceased operations after a drone strike, and a 300,000 bpd refinery in the south . By late June, at least 21 strikes on Russian oil infrastructure occurred in April alone .

Spread of fuel rationing across Russian regions

A CNN analysis from July 6, 2026, found that nearly all of Russia's 83 regions are experiencing gasoline shortages or supply disruptions, with many gas stations implementing rationing measures . The Russian government has scrambled to re-route supplies, maintain price caps, and enforce export bans to contain the crisis, but long queues at petrol stations are now common across the country .

Ukraine's campaign to isolate Crimea

Ukraine has systematically targeted supply routes, fuel tankers, and energy infrastructure serving Crimea, aiming to create a logistics breakdown and fully isolate the peninsula . By mid-June, fuel shortages and rolling blackouts were reported across Crimea . On June 21, 2026, Russian-installed authorities in Crimea halted civilian gasoline sales entirely . Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed the deliberate strategy: "Crimea will turn into an island" . On July 9, Ukrainian drones hit a dozen Russian fuel tankers in the Sea of Azov in the latest wave of this campaign .

Reported decline in Putin's domestic approval ratings

Insufficient evidence. The search results do not contain any direct polling data or credible reporting on a decline in Putin's approval ratings as of July 2026. The available sources focus on the fuel crisis, strikes, and military retaliation, but do not address his domestic standing. This claim remains unverified by the current evidence.

Russia's retaliatory bombardments on Ukraine

On July 2, 2026, Russia launched one of the largest retaliatory strikes of the war, firing 74 missiles and 496 drones at Kyiv and other locations, killing at least 17 people and wounding scores . The Russian Defense Ministry stated the attack targeted military and energy facilities around Kyiv and elsewhere . Putin has also ordered the military to continue massive strikes on Ukraine's military-industrial complex facilities, escalating the campaign of long-range bombardment .