Ukrainian Drone Strikes Disrupt Fuel Supply in Crimea, Straining Russian Economy

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is increasingly affecting the Russian economy, with recent developments highlighting significant fuel shortages, particularly in Crimea. The situation has escalated as Ukraine intensifies its attacks on Russian infrastructure, leading to a notable decline in gasoline availability.

Reports indicate that approximately half of the gas stations on the Crimean Peninsula have run out of fuel. This shortage has prompted officials, backed by the Kremlin, to seek solutions to the supply crisis. Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed leader of Crimea, acknowledged the issue in a recent video statement, revealing that some oil refineries are currently non-operational, contributing to the fuel shortages.

Aksyonov urged residents and visitors to remain patient, assuring them that supplies would be restored soon. He mentioned that deliveries of AI-95, a standard gasoline widely used across Russia, would resume shortly, and that the AI-92 gasoline supply would also be back within two weeks.

However, Crimea is not alone in facing fuel shortages. Reports from various Russian regions, including Primorye, indicate that long lines have formed at gas stations due to diminishing supplies. Local media in these areas have noted that fuel has seemingly 'disappeared' from the pumps, prompting some gas stations to temporarily close.

The Russian government has attributed these shortages to various logistical issues, such as delayed oil tanker shipments and equipment failures at fueling stations. However, underlying these challenges is a targeted campaign by Ukraine, which has intensified drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure since 2022. Since August, Ukraine has reportedly attacked 14 key refineries and significant portions of the Druzhba pipeline, which is crucial for oil transport to Hungary and Slovakia.

This disruption has led to a sharp increase in gasoline prices in Russia. According to Trading Economics, the price of gasoline rose from $0.76 to $0.79 per liter between July and August 2025. On September 25, the price of AI-92 reached a record high of $952 per ton (approximately EUR813.73), significantly impacting Russian consumers.

In addition to the supply issues caused by Ukraine's actions, the Russian oil sector is grappling with the effects of Western sanctions. Recent measures, including a reduction of the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $47.60 per barrel, have further strained Russia's oil revenues. The European Union, Japan, and Canada have joined this effort, refusing to purchase Russian oil exceeding this price threshold. As a reaction to the ongoing fuel shortages, the Kremlin has indicated plans to curtail fuel exports even further. Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced intentions to extend the ban on gasoline exports through the end of the year and to implement restrictions on diesel fuel exports from non-manufacturers.

These developments underscore the continuing economic pressures facing Russia as the conflict persists, with implications for both domestic consumers and the broader geopolitical landscape.