Russia is facing a deepening fuel shortage after Ukrainian drone strikes damaged oil refineries and energy infrastructure, with petrol availability falling sharply and shortages now reaching Moscow.

Monitoring service Gdebenz reported that petrol was available at only 28 percent of Russian filling stations on Wednesday, down from 41 percent a week earlier. Fuel restrictions, including purchase limits, QR-code rationing and odd-even number plate systems, were reportedly in place across most regions.

Petrol stations in Moscow have also introduced temporary limits. Gazprom Neft outlets capped purchases at 40 litres, while Tatneft set limits of 50 litres for petrol and 60 litres for diesel. Yandex Fuel data showed AI-92 petrol available at only about one in 10 stations in the capital.

The shortages have been linked to Ukraine’s sustained campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. By early July, every major Russian refinery had reportedly been attacked at least once, while nearly a dozen additional facilities were targeted during the first two weeks of August.

Facilities affected included Yaroslavnefteorgsintez in Yaroslavl, two refineries in Bashkortostan and export infrastructure at the port of Ust-Luga.

Russian Forbes estimated that damaged facilities now represent about 54 percent of the country’s refining capacity. Petrol output fell to between 75,000 and 80,000 tonnes a day in July, compared with estimated summer demand of 115,000 to 120,000 tonnes.

President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the shortages while describing their consequences as “non-critical”. He said the attacks had caused damage but insisted they had not created a critical situation.

The Kremlin has taken several steps to protect domestic supplies. Russia banned petrol and diesel exports in July and increased imports from Belarus, Kazakhstan and other sources.

Imports from Belarus rose sharply during the first seven months of the year. Russia also turned to Morocco for the first time, with a cargo of about 30,000 tonnes of AI-92 petrol shipped from Tangier to Murmansk.

However, some imported fuel has reportedly remained at ports because of disagreements over prices between suppliers and Russian regulators.

The supply situation could tighten again in September when Belarus’s Novopolotsk refinery undergoes scheduled maintenance. Belarus exported a record 212,000 tonnes of petrol and 162,000 tonnes of diesel to Russia in July.

Retail fuel prices have also increased. Official data showed petrol prices rose 7.4 percent during the first half of 2026, while diesel prices increased by more than 12 percent. Some regions have reported petrol prices above 100 roubles a litre.

Russia has responded by ordering tighter price controls, with the Federal Antimonopoly Service opening 41 cases against oil companies over alleged violations.

The government has also authorised the production and sale of lower-grade Euro-2, Euro-3 and Euro-4 petrol for nearly a year, reversing restrictions introduced in the 2010s.

Authorities have also detained or fined some residents who publicly protested about shortages, highlighting the growing domestic pressure created by the fuel crisis.