Vladimir Putin faces domestic pressure as Ukrainian drone strikes create a significant fuel crisis and business losses across Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing increasing domestic pressure as Ukrainian drone strikes on oil infrastructure have triggered a significant fuel crisis. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky has intensified attacks on refineries, depots, and warehouses, leading to unprecedented rationing and rising prices across the country. Gas prices have risen by nearly 20 percent compared to last year, forcing some regional governors to suggest remote work and alternative transportation to conserve fuel. In addition to the fuel shortage, the administration announced that Ukrainian drones destroyed over $2 billion worth of inventory at Wildberries, Russia's primary online retailer. While Vladimir Putin has attempted to downplay the severity of the chaos, attributing much of the current situation to panic buying, he has acknowledged that the Ukrainian strikes do create problems. The crisis highlights the growing impact of the war on the daily lives of ordinary Russians, moving the conflict's stakes beyond the front lines and into the domestic economy.