Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that there were fuel supply problems in Crimea, but gave assurances that the shortage was not critical. He noted that the Russian authorities plan to increase fuel supplies to the peninsula.
- Putin has acknowledged that the fuel shortage in Crimea is not critical.
- Fuel supplies on the peninsula will last for a few more days.
- The Kremlin plans to increase fuel supplies by land and sea.
- Putin claims that the infrastructure is being rapidly restored following attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Attacks on fuel infrastructure continue to disrupt the supply chain.
Putin on the fuel shortage in Crimea
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stated that the fuel shortage in Russia and the temporarily occupied Crimea is not critical. According to him, there are still fuel reserves on the peninsula, and the Russian authorities intend to increase supplies by land and sea. These statements were made against the backdrop of a series of blows The Ukrainian Defence Forces are targeting oil refineries, oil depots and energy infrastructure in the Russian Federation.
Putin emphasised that Crimea’s fuel needs would be met. He noted that the peninsula currently has enough fuel to last for several more days. The Kremlin plans to step up fuel supplies to Crimea both by land and by sea. “The fuel supply situation remains under control,” he assured.
Attacks on fuel infrastructure
The Russian President’s statements came following a series of attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian oil refineries, oil depots, power substations and other strategic facilities. In recent days, there have been reports of strikes on Slavyansk Oil Refinery in the Krasnodar Region, which is considered one of the key suppliers of fuel to the temporarily occupied Crimea. There were also reports of problems with fuel logistics and disruptions at certain fuel infrastructure facilities.
Why it matters
The de facto admission that fuel reserves are sufficient for only a few days suggests that the issue of supplying Crimea with fuel remains a pressing concern for the Russian authorities. At the same time, Putin’s statements regarding the rapid restoration of infrastructure and the absence of a critical shortage represent the Kremlin’s official position, which cannot be fully verified independently. Against this backdrop, strikes on logistics and energy facilities continue to affect the functioning of the Russian fuel system.
