Russian Oil Empire Crumbles Under Ukraine's Drone Strikes

Russia's oil empire is under pressure due to Ukrainian attacks on Russian fossil fuel infrastructure. Drone strikes have targeted equipment crucial for turning crude oil into gasoline, leading to shortages and long lines at gas stations.

The usually optimistic President Vladimir Putin has admitted that there is a problem, as people are feeling the impact of these shortages. Gasoline prices have reached 20-year highs, making it difficult for locals to afford fuel for their cars.

Sergey Aleksashenko, a former Russian finance ministry employee and central bank worker, now on Putin's most wanted list, explained that Russia's economy is mostly based on the oil sector. The government controls the retail gasoline market, aiming to keep prices stable, but this has led to inefficiencies in distribution.

Aleksashenko pointed out that many regions are suffering from shortages, with 21 out of 85 Russian regions imposing limitations and regulations due to the crisis. Crimea is even fully banned for private citizens to purchase gasoline, affecting every fourth region in Russia.