Russia's Gasoline Production Dives After Ukrainian Drone Attacks, Covering Only 70% of Domestic Demand

Russia's gasoline production has plummeted, covering only about 70% of the country's domestic demand by the end of August. This sharp decline, reported by two industry sources to Reuters, is a direct consequence of intensified Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russia's energy infrastructure.

Several major refineries have been forced to suspend operations following these strikes. Notable among them are facilities in Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, and Yaroslavl. The disruption at these key sites has significantly curtailed the nation's overall gasoline output, pushing it back to levels not seen since the peak of a fuel crisis in early July.

Ukraine's strategy appears focused on crippling Russia's revenue streams from oil and gas exports. By targeting refineries, Kyiv aims to reduce Moscow's capacity to produce and sell fuel, thereby impacting its economy. The resurgence of fuel shortages in various Russian regions during August underscores the effectiveness of these attacks.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of Russia's energy sector to coordinated external assaults. As production falters, the domestic market faces renewed scarcity, potentially leading to price increases and further economic strain within Russia.