Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that support for President Vladimir Putin continues in Russia's current circumstances. “The vast majority of our country's population fully agrees with President Putin's policy. This is an undeniable fact, and almost no one can deny it. In the current situation, are those who support Putin ready for an additional burden? I have no doubt that they are,” Peskov said in an interview with “RBC radio”.
The editorial office reports that, on the other hand, Russia is facing a fuel shortage due to Ukrainian drone attacks. According to Reuters, the strikes have reduced oil refinery production by up to 20 percent on some days and limited exports.
A shortage, especially of 92 and 95 octane gasoline, is observed in the Far East, Crimea, the Volga region, as well as in the southern and central provinces. Private gas stations, which account for 40 percent of the country's market, are reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy due to supply disruptions and high credit costs.
Although Russian officials describe the situation as “temporary,” fuel sellers note that the crisis is systemic.