Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to reassure the public over growing fuel shortages, insisting that the disruption caused by Ukrainian attacks on the country’s oil infrastructure is manageable and will not alter Moscow’s military objectives in Ukraine.
Speaking after weeks of intensified Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries and energy facilities, Putin described the situation as “not critical” and rejected renewed calls for a ceasefire, maintaining that Russia’s military campaign would continue until its goals had been achieved.
Moscow argues that Ukraine’s attacks on energy infrastructure are intended to distract attention from developments on the battlefield.
However, defence analysts say Russia’s offensive has slowed in recent months, indicating that the conflict has entered a more challenging phase despite continued fighting along the front line.
The latest developments came as Russia carried out one of its deadliest assaults on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion. An overnight attack lasting around 11 hours into Thursday killed at least 30 people, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Ukraine has increasingly focused on striking Russia’s energy sector, with reports indicating that more than 50 attacks have targeted oil refineries and related facilities since March, including sites in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Kyiv says the campaign is designed to increase pressure on Moscow by disrupting fuel supplies and exposing the domestic impact of the war.
The strategy has challenged the Kremlin’s long-standing narrative that the conflict has had little effect on everyday life inside Russia.
Energy consultancy Macro-Advisory estimates that around one-third of Russia’s oil refining capacity has been affected by the attacks. Several damaged facilities are expected to require months of repairs and substantial investment before returning to normal operations.
Among the sites hit is one of Moscow’s largest refineries, which has reportedly been struck twice despite extensive air defence systems. A second attack in June caused significant damage to key processing equipment, with repairs expected to continue until the end of the year.
Official figures indicate that Russian petrol production has fallen by about 17%, dropping to roughly 850,000 barrels per day.
Fuel rationing has been introduced in some regions, while motorists in several areas have experienced lengthy queues at filling stations.
To help ease supply pressures, Russian authorities have temporarily authorised the production of lower-grade petrol with higher sulphur content until the end of the year.
The shortages have been particularly severe in Crimea, where fuel sales to private customers have at times been suspended altogether.
During a government meeting last weekend, Putin acknowledged that Russia was facing a “difficult period” but insisted that the shortages would be temporary.
He promised faster repairs to damaged facilities, said fuel imports would be considered if required, and pledged increased production of air defence systems to better protect critical energy infrastructure.
The Russian president accused Ukraine of attempting to weaken public confidence, disrupt military operations and force Moscow into negotiations on terms favourable to Kyiv.
“We will not give them that chance,” Putin said.
Although the Kremlin insists the refinery strikes have not affected military operations, Western analysts believe repeated attacks on fuel production and logistics have complicated Russian supply chains and slowed battlefield advances.
On Friday, Putin visited Russia’s military headquarters responsible for operations in Ukraine, where commanders reported the capture of Kostyantynivka after weeks of heavy fighting.
He described the town as strategically important because of its location on the route towards Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, two key Ukrainian defensive positions in the Donetsk region.
Ukraine did not immediately confirm the Russian claim. Earlier, its General Staff said Ukrainian forces had repelled multiple Russian attacks around Kostyantynivka and neighbouring settlements.
Putin also warned that continued Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory could lead Moscow to expand its security buffer zone within Ukraine.
He added that Russia would closely assess the role of Kyiv’s Western allies before making future military decisions.
The Russian leader again rejected proposals for a ceasefire, arguing that any pause in hostilities would allow Ukraine to regroup, replenish its forces and strengthen defensive positions.
Responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal for direct talks, Putin suggested negotiations should take place in Moscow, an idea Kyiv has dismissed.
The Kremlin continues to insist that any peace settlement must include Ukraine’s withdrawal from the remaining parts of the Donetsk region under its control, an end to Kyiv’s ambitions to join NATO, limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities and guarantees for the protection of the Russian language and culture.
Putin also claimed that Ukraine had privately suggested limiting combat operations to the four regions Russia claims to have annexed: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
According to the Kremlin, the proposal was delivered through confidential channels, although Ukrainian officials have not publicly confirmed that such discussions took place.
He said he rejected the proposal because it would enable Ukrainian forces to redeploy troops from other parts of the front.
Putin also dismissed Ukraine’s suggestion that both sides halt long-range strikes inside each other’s territory, arguing that Russia’s operations produce greater military effects.
While Moscow maintains that it targets military infrastructure, recent Russian attacks have again struck residential areas in Kyiv. Ukrainian long-range operations inside Russia have largely focused on oil refineries, defence factories and other sites linked to military logistics.
According to the United Nations, more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
