Ukraine’s recent extensive attack on Moscow, including striking a major refinery, has had a significant impact on the Russian population even before the assault. The effects of Kyiv’s escalating drone campaign were already being keenly felt by many Russians. In Crimea, which Russia annexed unlawfully in 2014, the appointed governor imposed a nighttime ban on motorcycles and scooters due to the resemblance of their sounds to the drones frequently flying overhead.
The peninsula has been experiencing fuel shortages, empty pumps, and restrictions as a result of Ukrainian strikes aimed at disrupting supply routes. While Moscow and its 13 million inhabitants have not yet faced fuel shortages, experts warn that the country’s energy sector is facing mounting pressure due to Ukraine’s strategic strikes bringing the war closer to Russia.
Oleksandr Kharchenko, the director of the Energy Industry Research Center in Kyiv, expressed a sentiment that only the people of Moscow have the power to halt the ongoing conflict. The recent attack on Moscow, carried out with around 200 drones, resulted in injuries, fatalities, and extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. The refinery hit by the attacks, owned by Gazprom Neft, used to supply nearly 40% of the capital’s fuel before being targeted multiple times in a single week.
Videos circulating online depicted scenes of chaos as air defenses attempted to intercept the drones, leading to subsequent reports of black residues falling from the sky. Russian oil company Rosneft’s CEO acknowledged the challenging conditions in the fuel market and assured the supply to essential facilities while discouraging individual canister refills.
In Crimea, where transportation and fuel supply routes have been repeatedly targeted, fuel rationing measures have been implemented. Reports of fuel shortages in various regions of Russia, including Dagestan, have surfaced, with the country planning to import fuel from Asia to alleviate the scarcity.
Despite initial disruptions, experts suggest that sustained attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure over the next few weeks could lead to more severe fuel shortages. Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturer Fire Point showcased footage of the Moscow strikes at a defense convention, emphasizing the impact on Russia’s military operations and logistical networks. The company’s co-founder highlighted the increasing pressure on Russian forces and the reality of war reaching Moscow.
As tensions escalate and the war unfolds, both Ukraine and Russia are bracing for further developments and potential repercussions on energy supplies and infrastructure.