Putin says Russia faces fuel shortages after Ukrainian drone strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has conceded that the country is facing fuel shortages following a barrage of long-range Ukrainian drone strikes on key energy infrastructure, although he insisted the Kremlin was dealing with them.

The Russian president's comments during an interview with a state TV reporter on Sunday mark the first time he has detailed the extent to which Ukraine's deep-strike success has hampered Russia's fuel production.

Putin said Russia would import more fuel and expedite repairs of oil facilities to end what he described as the "temporary deficit," according to The Associated Press.

"All damaged facilities are being restored quite quickly, and the issues that arise are not critical," Putin said. He also pledged to bolster Russia's air defense capacity to tackle Ukraine's mid- to long-range drone capabilities.

Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian oil facilities in recent weeks, seeking to cut off Moscow's energy revenues and try to force Putin into bringing an end to the more than four-year war.

The attacks, including a huge explosion at Gazprom's Moscow Refinery earlier in the month, have prompted analysts to suggest that the conflict could be shift

Fuente original: CNBC Top News (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/29/putin-russia-fuel-shortages-ukraine-drone-strikes.html)