Putin called a crisis meeting over fuel shortages, ordered a jump in production.

Across Russia, scenes of chaos have unfolded as citizens grapple with severe fuel shortages, leading to violent confrontations at gas stations. Social media footage captures desperate drivers clashing in long queues, some even resorting to physical altercations to secure their place. This unrest has become a daily reality following President Vladimir Putin’s admission that the country faces a significant shortage of fuel. In Moscow, disputes have erupted in lines at gas stations, with two women recorded shouting at each other after accusing one another of cutting in line. Another video from Ryazan shows two men punching each other near a gas station, while in Serov, a woman suffered a bloodied nose after being attacked during a dispute over fuel access. Meanwhile, in Chita, locals complain about unknown men blocking the entrance to a gas station, allowing only their associates to use the pumps, resulting in threats and fights.

The crisis follows Putin's acknowledgment of a notable fuel shortage in an interview published by the Kremlin on Sunday, attributed to multiple Ukrainian attacks targeting critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, over the past four years. During his speech at the congress of the ruling United Russia party earlier Friday, Putin assured members that he would ensure national security and overcome challenges posed by Ukraine's intensified strikes against Russian civilian and energy infrastructure since the February 2022 offensive. He emphasized that these challenges would be surmounted, reaffirming Russia's commitment to safeguarding its borders and citizens.

In response to the escalating situation, Putin convened an emergency meeting involving representatives from several ministries and major Russian oil producers. According to reports, the meeting aimed to address the consequences of terrorist attacks on Russian civil structures and infrastructure. Putin acknowledged the impact of recent Ukrainian strikes on Russia's oil industry, which have led to serious supply issues. He confirmed that diesel fuel exports were under consideration for restriction, and Russia had begun utilizing its oil reserves. Putin expressed expectations for a significant increase in production of essential fuel types by early July, asserting that the exceptional problems facing the nation would be resolved clearly, swiftly, and competently in the interest of the country and its citizens.

The fuel crisis initially began in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, and has now spread throughout almost all regions of the country. Long queues have formed at gas stations, where some continue to sell fuel, while others have ceased serving private customers entirely. The situation has prompted authorities in Crimea to declare a state of emergency due to fuel shortages and power outages caused by Ukrainian attacks on logistics chains and oil facilities. As tensions escalate, the focus remains on how effectively Russia can mitigate the effects of ongoing hostilities and restore stability within its borders.