Russia Faces Growing Fuel Crunch as Ukrainian Strikes Knock Out Refineries

Russia is facing its worst nationwide fuel shortages in years, with at least 17 regions imposing mandatory restrictions on gasoline and diesel sales, and dozens of others reporting shortages or restrictions by private fuel companies. The increasing scarcity of fuel has been caused mainly by a widening campaign of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting oil terminals, refineries, and pipelines. The largest fuel supplier to the Moscow region, the Kapotnya refinery, was hit twice this month; the plant will be offline until at least the end of 2026, unnamed…