Ukraine Drones Knock Out 42% of Russia's Oil Refining, Forcing Gas Rationing by QR Code

Ukraine Drones Knock Out 42% of Russia's Oil Refining, Forcing Gas Rationing by QR Code

Russia is in the middle of its worst fuel crisis in decades after Ukrainian drone strikes destroyed 42% of the country's oil refining capacity, causing $13.5 billion in damage and forcing gas stations to ration fuel using QR codes and license-plate scanners [189845][190912].

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The crisis has spread to nearly all of Russia's 83 regions, with many gas stations limiting how much gasoline each driver can buy [191627]. In some cities, drivers wait in five-hour queues and must scan a QR code linked to their vehicle's registration to purchase fuel [190912]. The shortages first appeared in Russian-occupied Crimea but have now hit Moscow and other major cities [191627][189845].

Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted oil refineries, fuel depots, and oil terminals up to 1,100 kilometers inside Russian territory [189845][189625]. The strikes have also hit over 30 fuel tankers in the Azov Sea, cutting off supply routes to Crimea [192121]. Ukrainian forces have struck Russian naval vessels near the peninsula as part of a campaign to isolate Russian military operations there [192236].

Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted the country faces "a certain shortage" of fuel, saying "strikes on our infrastructure sites are creating problems" [188730]. The damage has reduced Russia's diesel and gasoline output so severely that Moscow has cut fuel exports to neighboring countries like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which now face their own shortages and rising prices [192304].

Ukraine's military says the sustained drone campaign, which it calls "long-range sanctions," is designed to weaken Russia's war economy by cutting off the fuel that powers its military operations [189680][189845]. New analysis suggests the financial strain from reduced oil output threatens Russia's war budget if Moscow cannot find a countermeasure soon [189745].

Sources

Ukraine’s Drones Cut 42% of Russia’s Oil Refining, Costing $13.5 Billion #189845Russia Rations Gasoline by QR Code as Drone Strikes Hit Refineries #190912Russia’s fuel crisis spreads to nearly all regions as Ukraine targets refineries #191627Russia's Fuel Crisis Hits Central Asia: Drone Strikes Cut Supply #192304Ukraine Strikes 30 Fuel Tankers in Azov Sea, Crippling Russia's Crimea Supply #192121Ukraine hits Russian ships near Crimea in fuel supply blockade #192236Ukraine’s Drone Blitz Sparks Russia’s Worst Fuel Crisis in Decades #189680Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Terminal as Fuel Crisis Worsens #189625Putin admits fuel shortage as Ukraine drones target Crimea #188730Russian Economy Faces Crisis as Oil Damage Mounts #189745

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