Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has labeled the current fuel shortage in Russia as a “historical anecdote,” highlighting the irony of a country reliant on energy exports now struggling to source fuel. He stated, “It sounds like a historical anecdote, doesn’t it? A country like Russia, whose economy has always been focused on energy exports, is now looking for fuel and trying to increase its capacity for fuel imports. So, did Ukraine hinder this? Ukraine has already hindered [fuel imports to Russia]; we have already done that,” he remarked.
Zelensky further speculated that if Boris Yeltsin were alive today, he might have chosen a different successor than Vladimir Putin, given the current state of affairs. “Between us, I think that if Yeltsin had known that over 20 years later Russia would be importing energy resources instead of exporting them due to its foolish decision to start a war, he would have chosen a different successor,” he stated.
Context
- The fuel crisis in Russia has intensified due to successful Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries, leading to reductions in production or complete halts at various facilities. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, as of early July, approximately 42.74% of Russia’s oil refining capacity has been disabled due to these attacks.
- On June 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the attacks on refineries had caused fuel shortages in some regions, although he claimed that Russia was managing the situation. However, the next day, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced plans to import oil products from abroad.
- On June 1, Reuters reported that Russia had already begun maritime imports of gasoline from India.
- Media reports indicate that the fuel shortage has affected nearly all of Russia, resulting in long lines at gas stations and record-high gasoline prices.
