Vladimir Putin Foto: Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Putin stated that attacks on Russian infrastructure “create problems” and cause damage, but the damaged facilities are being quickly restored, according to Euronews.
According to Putin, Russian authorities intend to speed up repairs to damaged oil refineries, increase fuel production, boost imports of petroleum products, and strengthen the protection of facilities in the fuel and energy sector. He also emphasized that additional measures to stabilize the domestic market are being considered, including ensuring a fuel supply for agriculture during the harvest season.
According to Reuters, the authorities are also discussing the possibility of a complete ban on diesel fuel exports, following the restrictions already imposed on gasoline and jet fuel exports.
Separately, Putin promised to quickly resolve the fuel shortage in annexed Crimea. He stated that supplies to the peninsula would be increased both by land and by sea.
The Russian president also stated that strikes on infrastructure targets have no impact on the situation on the front lines. According to him, Kyiv allegedly proposed a mutual cessation of long-range strikes and limiting active hostilities to four Ukrainian regions that Moscow has declared part of Russia. However, these proposals were rejected.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to strike Russian oil infrastructure. On Saturday night, a fire broke out at an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in the Krasnodar Krai. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced that another oil refinery—in the Yaroslavl Oblast—had been hit.
Amid fuel supply disruptions in several Russian regions, reports have emerged of restrictions on gasoline sales at some gas stations and lines for fuel. Russian authorities acknowledge the problems but maintain that gasoline reserves are sufficient and that the situation is under control.
