Putin Says Ukraine Wants Russia to Halt Offensive, Admits Fuel Shortages After Refinery Attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged for the first time that Ukraine's sustained drone campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure has created a fuel shortage , while insisting the attacks will not alter Moscow's military objectives. His remarks came after Ukraine said it struck two Russian oil refineries overnight, including a major facility in the Krasnodar region, as the war entered its fifth year.

Speaking to Russian state television, Putin accused Kyiv of trying to "cause a split in Russian society" and "force Russia to halt, even if only briefly, the advance of our troops." Declaring, "We will not give them that chance," he asserted that attacks on Russian infrastructure have "absolutely no effect on the situation at the front." He also revealed that Ukraine had proposed halting long range strikes and limiting combat to the partially occupied regions of Donetsk , Luhansk , Kherson and Zaporizhzhia , but rejected the offer, saying it would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup. He reiterated that Russia would continue its campaign to secure full control of the four regions.

Putin admitted Russia was "going through a difficult period" and announced a government task force to stabilise fuel supplies. He said the country holds about 1.7 million metric tonnes of gasoline reserves, refinery repairs are progressing rapidly, fuel imports will increase, July production will exceed June levels, and authorities are reviewing diesel export restrictions to protect domestic supply. He also pledged to strengthen air defences around critical energy infrastructure and resolve shortages in Crimea.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes reached refineries in Krasnodar and Yaroslavl, calling them "long range sanctions" that reduce the resources fuelling Russia's war machine. A fire erupted at the Slavyansk na Kubani refinery after drone debris fell on the site, killing one person and injuring another. Russian authorities did not immediately confirm damage to the Yaroslavl refinery. Fuel shortages have led to rationing in several regions, including a 50 litre daily purchase limit at state run fuel stations in Siberia's Irkutsk region. Overnight, Russia said it intercepted 213 Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine reported downing 125 of 142 Russian drones and seven of eight missiles.