Russian Gasoline Output Slips to 70% of Demand After Refinery Strikes
Russian gasoline output fell to about 70% of domestic demand in late August after drone strikes halted work at major refineries, reigniting regional fuel shortages.
Russia's gasoline production has dropped to approximately 70% of domestic consumption levels by the end of August, according to two industry sources. The decline follows a fresh wave of drone attacks that forced several major refineries to suspend operations.
Ukrainian forces have intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in an effort to reduce Moscow's revenue from fuel exports. The latest attacks have targeted significant producers of motor gasoline, including plants in Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, and Yaroslavl, all of which have halted operations over the past week.
This production slump mirrors levels last seen in early July, when the first wave of a fuel crisis was at its peak. That crisis had been building since May. After a brief respite at the end of July, when some regional authorities eased or lifted restrictions on fuel sales, shortages have now returned to Russian regions in August.
The repeated disruptions to refining capacity highlight the vulnerability of Russia's fuel supply chain to sustained drone campaigns, even as the country continues to rely heavily on its energy sector for export earnings.