Ukraine Strikes 2 Russian Refineries as Fuel Shortages Deepen Across Russia
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jul 17
Ukraine Strikes 2 Russian Refineries as Fuel Shortages Deepen Across Russia
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 17
Summary
Yaroslavl and Leningrad refineries were hit by Ukrainian strikes after Russia unleashed a new wave of attacks on Kyiv in early July, extending Kyiv’s campaign against Russian oil infrastructure.
Fuel shortages that began in June have become the first broad disruption felt by ordinary Russians since the 2022 invasion, adding to recession fears and pressure from January’s VAT rise to 22%.
Russia still retains buffers: interest rates had fallen to 14.25% by June from 21% in 2024, and higher oil income linked to the Iran war has offered a temporary reprieve.
Putin’s tighter political control, the siloviki’s stronger role and the absence of organized opposition make a Soviet-style collapse unlikely despite economic strain.
The wider war still points to attrition, with the EU pledging €90 billion over two years to support Ukraine after US funding stopped in 2025 and neither side showing readiness to yield.
As Ukraine's drones cripple its oil industry, is Russia's war machine finally running out of fuel and time?
Can Ukraine's 40-day pressure campaign force a superpower to the table, or will it provoke an even deadlier response?
With drones now striking deep inside Russia, how is the war's reality shifting for citizens far from the front lines?
43% of Russian Refineries Offline: Ukraine’s Deep Strike Campaign and the Economic, Military, and Global Fallout
Overview
In July 2026, Russia faced a severe fuel crisis after Ukraine intensified strikes on Russian refineries in spring 2026. As a result, nearly 43% of Russia’s oil refining capacity was offline, causing a sharp drop in fuel production. Russia’s crude oil processing fell by 25% compared to the previous year, and gasoline output dropped 17%, leaving domestic needs unmet. President Putin admitted to a fuel shortage, and the energy industry suffered billions in losses. This crisis highlights how Ukraine’s targeted attacks have deeply disrupted Russia’s ability to produce and supply fuel, leading to widespread economic and social impacts.