Putin admits Ukrainian strikes driving Russian fuel shortages

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, acknowledged the country was suffering from “a certain shortage” of fuel in an interview published by the Kremlin on Sunday, after repeated Ukrainian strikes in their four-year war. “As for strikes against critical infrastructure in general, and energy infrastructure in particular, of course these attacks on our infrastructure facilities create problems, that’s obvious,” he said.

“Right now we’re observing a certain shortage, but it’s not critical.” He said the main task now was to increase Russian anti-aircraft defence capacity and to ensure fuel supplies, particularly to Crimea. The authorities in Russia-annexed Crimea on Friday declared an “emergency situation” over fuel shortages and power cuts triggered by Ukrainian attacks on its logistics chains and oil facilities.

Russia annexed the territory from Ukraine in 2014, a move not recognised by the vast majority of countries.

Russia, Crimea

vladimir putin, ukrainian strikes, fuel shortages, energy infrastructure, anti-aircraft, crimea, emergency situation, logistics chains, oil facilities, power cuts