Ukrainian Drones Blast Russian Refineries for Three Months, Gasoline Runs Short Across Russia
A sustained three-month campaign of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries, fuel depots, and pipelines has caused gasoline shortages at gas stations across Russia, disrupting supply lines and fueling economic discontent. A new generation of cheap, expendable Ukrainian drones is also cutting off fuel and ammunition to Russian frontline troops, threatening Moscow’s planned summer offensive.
For three months, Ukrainian drones have struck Russian refineries, ports, fuel depots, and pipelines, and these attacks are now causing gasoline shortages across Russia [181587]. Gasoline is becoming hard to find at gas stations, creating ripple effects in the Russian economy and rising discontent among drivers [181587].
A new generation of Ukrainian mid-range drones is severely disrupting Russian military supply lines to the southern front [177634]. The drones are striking bridges, trains, and fuel trucks, giving Kyiv a chance to derail Moscow’s plans for a summer offensive [177634]. Video and images show about 150 strikes against Russian fuel tankers, trucks, and other vehicles [177634]. The attacks are cutting off fuel and weapons to frontline troops, and without fuel and ammunition, Russian forces may struggle to launch or sustain major attacks [177634].
Ukraine has also carried out new attacks on supply routes in Crimea [181257]. On Tuesday, a railway bridge was destroyed, which Kyiv claims Russia used to move troops and equipment [181257]. “This is starting to become a serious problem,” said military expert Johan Huovinen, commenting on Ukraine’s increasing pressure on Russian forces in the region [181257].
Meanwhile, Denmark is changing its military aid to Ukraine, sending long-range artillery shells instead of short-range ones [181574]. The new shipment will include 15,000 rounds designed to strike Russian logistics from a safer distance [181574]. Ukraine’s Defense Forces requested the change to improve their ability to target supply lines without exposing troops to close-range fire [181574].
Ukraine is also testing a new reconnaissance drone designed to fly deep behind Russian lines [181573]. The aircraft is cheap enough to use for one-way missions, meaning it does not need to return, and the Pentagon is already monitoring its producer [181573]. The drone’s low cost allows Ukraine to risk it in high-value operations, and its development marks a shift toward expendable surveillance tools [181573].