Desperate Vladimir Putin halts fuel sales after Ukraine barrage on depots causes chaos

Russia has halted civilian fuel sales in occupied Crimea after a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes plunged the peninsula into its worst energy crisis since Moscow seized the territory in 2014. The Kremlin-installed head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, announced on Sunday that petrol stations would stop selling fuel to private individuals and businesses for an indefinite period following fresh attacks overnight.

The move came after Ukrainian drones targeted fuel infrastructure across Crimea and southern Russia, dealing another blow to Moscow’s efforts to keep supplies flowing to the strategically important Black Sea region. Aksyonov said four people were killed and 28 injured in the overnight strikes, although he did not specify which facilities had been hit. In a statement posted on social media, he said fuel would now be reserved exclusively for state bodies.

Aksyonov stated: “Fuel will be sold only to government agencies that ensure the functioning and security of the Republic of Crimea.” He added, “I ask everyone to remain calm and to only trust official sources of information.”

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted fuel depots, storage facilities and transport hubs in Crimea in recent weeks, intensifying pressure on Russian logistics networks and exposing vulnerabilities far behind the front line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a major oil depot in Crimea and an oil transport facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region were among the latest targets. Mr Zelensky described the campaign as part of Ukraine’s long-range effort to cripple Russia’s energy infrastructure and reduce Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort.

Mr Zelensky declared: “Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is certainly working for peace.”

Russian authorities in the Krasnodar region reported that a drone strike sparked a fire at a Black Sea oil terminal in the village of Chushka. Officials also said an attack on a ferry killed one person.

The latest barrage has deepened fuel shortages that have already caused widespread disruption across Crimea. Authorities introduced strict rationing measures at the end of May, limiting motorists to just 20 litres of fuel per week through a coupon system. The vouchers were quickly snapped up, while drivers queued for hours outside petrol stations in the hope of filling their tanks.

Social media platforms have since been flooded with messages from residents seeking fuel supplies or sharing information about stations that still have stock available. Officials have also launched a hotline to assist tourists who have become stranded by the shortages.

Some residents have attempted to bring fuel into Crimea from Russia’s Krasnodar region via the Kerch Bridge, but regulations restrict motorists to carrying no more than 100 litres per vehicle. Others have turned to unofficial sellers, with reports that fuel is being offered at up to twice the normal market price.

The Kremlin has publicly acknowledged the scale of the disruption and pledged to restore supplies as quickly as possible. But Ukraine’s success in striking fuel infrastructure has underlined Kyiv’s ability to inflict significant economic and logistical damage on Russia, even as fighting along much of the front line has slowed and Moscow’s recent battlefield gains have largely stalled.