Russia Rationing Petrol as Ukrainian Drone Attacks Disrupt Fuel Supplies

Russia's oil refineries have been hit by Ukrainian drone attacks, disrupting fuel supplies and forcing the country to ration petrol at home.

The attacks have damaged several major refineries, including NORSI in the Nizhny Novgorod region and Perm refinery in the Ural Mountains. This has reduced overall output, even if other parts of a plant remain operational.

Russia is not running out of crude oil, but its refining system is under pressure due to the attacks. As a result, petrol stations are again facing shortages, with long queues returning in Moscow and surrounding regions.

The restrictions on fuel sales have been reintroduced, with Gazprom Neft capping purchases at 40 litres at automated stations and 60 litres elsewhere. Rosneft has limited sales to 30 litres per vehicle across Russia, while Tatneft has set a 50-litre limit.

Russia's decision to import finished petrol from India is also unusual, given that India itself buys huge quantities of crude oil from Russia. The imports are coming on top of domestic production cuts and increased exports restrictions.