Videos have emerged showing motorists engaging in physical altercations at petrol stations across Russia, as fuel shortages intensify.
These shortages are attributed to repeated Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian oil facilities and logistics networks. The disruptions have led to long queues at gas stations and increased tensions among drivers.
In a significant development, the city of Sevastopol in the annexed Crimean peninsula experienced a power outage on Monday after an attack on energy infrastructure. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor appointed by Moscow, confirmed the outage on Telegram, stating it followed an "enemy attack on energy infrastructure near Sevastopol."
Footage circulating online depicts scenes of disorder at fuel stations. One video shows two men fighting, with one throwing the other to the ground. Another clip captures a group of young individuals assaulting an elderly man while in line for fuel. A third video shows a woman and two men struggling over a petrol pump. In a separate incident, a police officer is seen drawing his firearm on a man at a petrol station amidst angry shouts from other motorists.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the country is facing "a certain shortage" of fuel, attributing the issue to Ukrainian strikes. He described these attacks on critical infrastructure as "obvious" problem creators, though he characterized the shortage as "not critical."
Authorities in Crimea had previously declared an "emergency situation" due to fuel shortages and power cuts resulting from Ukrainian attacks on logistical chains and oil facilities. Putin admitted that only "a few days' supply" of fuel remained in Crimea at one point but expressed confidence in replenishing reserves.
This situation follows a "massive" drone attack by Ukraine on a Russian oil terminal in St. Petersburg over the weekend. The governor of St. Petersburg, Aleksandr Beglov, confirmed the port was hit but reported no casualties, adding that Russian air defenses had intercepted 72 drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the St. Petersburg port as an "important military target" that "generates revenue for Russia's war." He stated that Ukrainian forces struck the port's oil infrastructure and also hit Kronstadt, a military target located over 850 kilometers from Ukraine's border.
Ukraine has asserted that nearly 43 percent of Russia's oil refinery capacity has been "disabled" by its attacks, a claim that has not been independently verified. Kyiv maintains that Russian energy facilities are legitimate military targets, as revenue from oil exports is crucial for funding Russia's invasion, which began in February 2022.
The Russian defense ministry has stated that these attacks "will not go unanswered."
In parallel, Putin visited Russian military headquarters directing the war in Ukraine, receiving a report on the capture of Kostyantynivka. He described this capture as a significant strategic step toward taking nearby cities in the Donetsk region. Russian military officials reported that Ukrainian troops had been pushed back in recent fighting.