Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted today that problems with fuel supplies led to fuel shortages in some Russian regions. Putin added that the Kremlin is considering a ban on diesel exports. Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, has recently been successful in attacking Russian refineries and other oil infrastructure.
28/06/2026 20:36
Photo: SITA/AP, Gavriil Grigorov
Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) during a meeting of high officials on the situation surrounding fuel distribution in Russia. Kremlin, June 28, 2026
At a meeting of high-ranking officials on the situation surrounding fuel distribution, the head of the Kremlin called for measures to ensure sufficient supplies for the agricultural sector. According to Putin, the working group is trying to ensure a sufficient amount of fuel throughout the country.
Several Russian regions are facing fuel shortage problems. The governor of the Khabarovsk region in Russia’s Far East, Dmitry Demeshin, said 70 of the region’s 178 gas stations were short of fuel. He clarified on his Telegram channel that an extraordinary supply of 600 tons of gasoline is planned. “However, it takes time to deliver cargo because there are queues for unloading,” the regional governor stressed.
As of June 25, fuel sales were officially restricted in 32 Russian regions, including the occupied territories of Ukraine. In the annexed Crimea, diesel and gasoline have completely stopped being sold to civilians and ordinary companies since June 21. Only state authorities, security forces, the military and critical infrastructure receive fuel.
According to the Verstka website, only five regions do not have problems with enough gasoline: Ingushetia, Chechnya, Kalmykia, Chukotka, and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. However, the North Caucasus website Fortanga reported that some gas stations in Ingushetia suspended operations without giving a reason.
Demešin in the Khabarovsk region reported that some companies are forced to temporarily limit the sale of fuel in canisters because of “speculators who buy fuel at gas stations in order to profit from it.”
The lack of fuel in Russia is the result of systematic attacks by Ukrainian drones on oil refineries. According to Reuters, 16 refineries were hit in May and several more in June, including a refinery in Moscow’s Kapotňa district. As a result, gasoline production in Russia dropped to 85,000 tons per day, while summer consumption is 110,000 tons.
In this context, Reuters, citing four industry sources, reports that Russia is negotiating with Kazakhstan about the possibility of importing AI-92 gasoline. The Russian government has also allowed refineries to produce lower quality fuel for the domestic market.
