Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly admitted that Russia is experiencing a "certain shortage" of fuel, marking a rare acknowledgment of the impact caused by Ukraine’s escalating campaign of long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Speaking in an interview with state television on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Putin conceded that attacks on refineries and storage facilities have created obvious challenges for the domestic market. "Right now we're observing a certain shortage, but it's not critical," he stated, while vowing to bolster air defense systems to protect critical facilities and increase efforts to restore damaged infrastructure. Key details of the ongoing energy crisis: Impact of the drone campaign: In recent weeks, Ukraine has significantly ramped up strikes against Russian oil refineries and logistical nodes deep behind the front lines. Attacks on the Slavyansk refinery in the Krasnodar region and a major facility in Yaroslavlβ€”some 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian borderβ€”have been confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. These strikes have reportedly cut Russia's overall oil refining capacity by approximately 25 percent compared to this time last year. Regional rationing: The supply disruption has become widespread, with fuel rationing now implemented in at least 56 Russian federal entities. In some areas, such as the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, authorities have been forced to temporarily halt gasoline sales entirely due to severe logistical and supply chain failures. In other regions, including Siberia, drivers are facing daily purchase limits at state-run stations. Government response: In a meeting with senior officials, Putin addressed the persistence of queues at gas stations and the resulting pressure on businesses. He indicated that the Kremlin is considering several measures to stabilize the market, including a potential temporary ban on diesel exports to prioritize domestic needs. Officials are also weighing the extension of zero import-duty rates on gasoline to encourage external supply. Geopolitical context: Despite the domestic economic strain, Putin maintained that the strikes have not derailed Russia's military operations at the front. He rejected proposals to negotiate a halt to long-range strikes, dismissing them as a strategic attempt by Kyiv to alleviate pressure on its own forces. As the war enters its fifth year, the Ukrainian strategy of targeting Russia's energy-based revenue and domestic supply chain continues to present a significant and evolving challenge for the Kremlin.