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Russian authorities arrest citizens as Ukraine's drone campaign triggers severe domestic fuel shortages and public unrest

Russia is facing a severe domestic fuel crisis as Ukrainian drone strikes continue to target the nation's oil refineries and depots. The shortage has affected at least 78 of Russia's 83 regions, impacting approximately 50 million people. Motorists are facing long queues, with some waiting up to 30 hours at pumps, leading to street brawls and public outrage. To manage the crisis, the administration has reimposed purchase limits, with state-owned Rosneft restricting purchases to 30 litres at some stations. The National Guard has been deployed to patrol gas stations outside Moscow to maintain order. Despite these measures, the administration has faced criticism for its handling of the situation. While officials like Alexander Novak and President Putin have offered optimistic assessments, many citizens are finding themselves fined or arrested for publicly expressing concern about the dry pumps while officials are reported to be filling their own tanks comfortably. The crisis is a result of Ukraine's relentless targeting of Russian energy infrastructure, which has dragged domestic oil production down to multi-decade lows.

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