Muscat: Russia's deputy prime minister stated on Friday that the recent fuel shortages in the country are a result of Ukrainian drone strikes on energy infrastructure. Speaking in the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, Alexander Novak acknowledged the challenges in the fuel market, addressing the visible queues at gas stations.

According to Anadolu Agency, Novak highlighted that the shortages are due to Ukrainian drone attacks, which have forced some oil refineries to undergo repairs. He emphasized that authorities are working to enhance the security of these refineries and ensure optimal production capacity. Additionally, Novak mentioned that the temporary ban on gasoline and diesel fuel exports is a measure to stabilize the situation.

Novak reassured that Russia has adequate fuel processing capacity and that efforts are being made to boost fuel deliveries across Russian regions. The Ukrainian drone attacks have led to the suspension of operations at several Russian oil refineries, prompting Moscow to implement restrictions to stabilize the domestic fuel market. Kyiv, on its part, has stated that its strikes aim to diminish Moscow's capacity in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, now in its fifth year.

Earlier, Novak informed President Vladimir Putin that Moscow has banned diesel fuel exports to increase domestic supplies, following a similar ban on gasoline exports introduced in April. Late last month, Putin admitted that Ukrainian attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure had contributed to fuel shortages but maintained that the situation is under control, with swift restoration of damaged facilities.

Furthermore, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced at the end of June that Russia plans to import gas to stabilize the domestic market, an unusual move for a nation that last imported significant energy resources in the 1990s after the Soviet Union's dissolution.