Fights are breaking out at petrol stations across Russia as Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities and logistics hubs continue to disrupt fuel supplies. Russian state television has acknowledged that parts of the country are experiencing petrol shortages, contributing to growing public frustration.
Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted significant energy infrastructure, including two major complexes in Nizhnekamsk and Saratov, which were engulfed in flames. A military airfield in Borisoglebsk was also set ablaze, and at least 19 fuel tankers were reportedly hit. The country's largest refinery in Omsk, Siberia, has also halted production following a long-range attack.
These disruptions have led to gargantuan queues at filling stations, spiraling prices, and increasingly agitated customers. Videos circulating on social media appear to show altercations, including fistfights between individuals at petrol stations and disputes over queue-jumping. One incident reportedly resulted in a woman sustaining a bloody nose.
Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT, acknowledged the hardships faced by Russians due to the ongoing conflict. She stated on state TV that "There is no petrol" and drew parallels to past economic difficulties in Russia, urging citizens to remain calm and avoid actions that could destabilize the country.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's stance on nuclear weapons, stating they would only be used if the existence of the Russian state is threatened. He also suggested that the war could end if Ukraine surrendered its territory.
Beyond fuel shortages, a European state intelligence report highlighted risks of an "explosive" banking crisis in Russia. The report noted that deteriorating loans and increasing household debt, exacerbated by the war's economic strain, could trigger instability. The report also indicated that over 500,000 Russians declared bankruptcy in 2025, with a significant increase in corporate and retail non-performing loans.
German Gref, head of state-controlled Sberbank, the country's largest financial institution, has publicly called for an end to hostilities. He expressed that most Russians are deeply concerned about the war's impact on the economy, which is experiencing falling wages, redundancies, soaring prices, and high interest rates. Gref warned that the economy has been "overcooled" by the conflict.
Amid these domestic challenges, Ukraine continues its strikes, including recent attacks on the Nizhnekamskneftekhim petrochemical plant and the Saratov oil refinery. Ukraine also targeted a Gazprom compressor station in the Krasnodar region. In response, Russia conducted strikes on Kyiv targeting missile and drone production facilities.
NATO leaders are meeting to coordinate assistance for Ukraine, while former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed belief that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky want to reach a settlement to the conflict.