Ankara: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday announced that Russia has commenced using its fuel reserves in response to intensified Ukrainian attacks targeting the country's energy sector.

According to Anadolu Agency, during a meeting focused on fuel supplies to Russian regions, Putin revealed that gasoline reserves currently stand at 1.7 million tons, reflecting a 4% decrease compared to last year. He emphasized that previously accumulated fuel volumes have been introduced to the domestic market. Despite the utilization of these reserves, Putin assured that gasoline levels are nearly consistent with those of the previous year.

Putin highlighted that Russia is fully leveraging the capacities of its largest oil refineries along with the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises. He mentioned that routine maintenance periods have been curtailed and scheduled maintenance postponed to bolster fuel availability.

Additionally, Putin indicated that the government is considering a ban on the export of diesel fuel, with a temporary ban on gasoline and jet fuel exports already in effect to prioritize domestic consumers. He acknowledged the challenges faced at gas stations, noting the difficulty in sourcing the correct gasoline brand.

The decision follows recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, which led to several facilities suspending operations for maintenance. This has prompted Moscow to impose periodic restrictions to stabilize the domestic fuel market.

Restrictions on fuel sales have been implemented across various Russian regions and Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014. Earlier this month, Ukraine's General Staff reported that its forces targeted 16 major Russian oil refineries and fuel terminals, impacting over 30% of Russia's refining capacity.