Russia is turning to foreign fuel imports to ease a widening domestic shortage, with President Vladimir Putin acknowledging “certain shortage” and the Kremlin confirming talks with unnamed countries to purchase petrol and diesel at “acceptable prices.” The shortages, first visible in Crimea, have spread to dozens of regions, including Moscow, where long queues at filling stations have become common. This marks a significant reversal for the world’s third-largest oil producer, which has historically been a major exporter of refined products.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the import negotiations are a “step towards stabilising the market” and aim to curb what he described as panic-driven demand. Putin, in a meeting with government officials, called the attacks on civilian infrastructure “problems” but insisted the situation was “not critical.” Viewed from Kyiv, the campaign of drone strikes against refineries, oil depots, and supply routes is a deliberate strategy to degrade the economic engine funding Moscow’s war effort. Ukrainian military officials have not publicly detailed the operations, but Western military analysts note the systematic targeting of energy infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, including eight of the ten largest refineries.

The shortages have led to emergency measures. In Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, authorities declared a state of emergency, suspended fuel sales to private individuals, and imposed electricity cuts. In other regions, rationing by licence plate number or purchase limits has been introduced. Reports from independent Russian-language media describe queues lasting up to 18 hours in Siberia and rising prices. Analysts monitoring Russia’s domestic stability note that the crisis is also straining regional budgets, as local authorities are responsible for recruitment drives that compete with social spending.

The fuel crisis unfolds against a backdrop of stalled diplomatic efforts. Putin stated he expects a US negotiating team to visit Moscow once Washington reaches an agreement with Iran on the Middle East conflict, though no timeline was given. Meanwhile, the European Union has begun disbursing €3.9 billion of a larger support package to Ukraine, with the first tranche earmarked for drone procurement, ammunition, and air defence systems. The Russian government has not disclosed which countries it is negotiating with for fuel imports, but Vice-Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed that tapping strategic petrol reserves and considering a diesel export ban are also under discussion. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate resolution in sight as both sides continue to target each other’s economic vulnerabilities.