Putin makes rare admission of fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Putin makes rare admission of fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikesImage source, EPAImage caption, Putin told Russian state TV that the fuel shortage faced by his country was not "critical"ByJames Landale Diplomatic correspondent in MoscowPublished16 minutes agoIn Russia, the impact of Ukraine's missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure from Moscow to the Black Sea and beyond has long been evident. Queues at petrol stations. Fuel rationing widespread.

Drivers in the Russia-annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea banned from filling their tanks so priority can be given to military vehicles. But such is the gravity of the situation it has now been explicitly acknowledged by President Vladimir Putin for the first time. Over the weekend, Russia's president discussed the crisis with senior officials and oil executives.

The Details

And in public remarks, he was unusually frank. "You're well aware that problems persist for both motorists and businesses," he told the meeting. "Unfortunately, there are still queues at petrol stations, and finding the right grade of petrol isn't always easy.

" He also mentioned the difficulties faced by the agricultural industry and said the harvest "depended on" the fuel supply schedule being met. According to independent Russian outlet Mediazona, 56 Russian regions are currently enforcing fuel restrictions. Later, in an interview with Russian state television, Putin was even more open.

He admitted Ukraine's attacks were "obviously creating problems": "We are currently seeing a certain shortage," he said, "but it's not critical. " He promised to increase production of air defences to protect Russian energy infrastructure, and to speed up repairs to the refineries that Ukraine managed to hit. In Crimea, Putin admitted, only "a few days' supply" was left – but said he was "confident" more fuel would be brought in soon.

What Experts Say

It is unusual for Putin to be so open about the impact of Ukrainian strikes and the consequences for Russian people. But such as been the scale of the fuel shortages and the resulting public awareness, he was probably left with little choice but to acknowledge the reality while still insisting – as usual – that Russia's war effort was making progress. This admission of the difficulties being felt in Crimea is particularly significant, given the symbolic importance of the peninsula to many Russians - and to the Kremlin leader in particular.

Since the start of its occupation of Crimea in 2014, Moscow has turned it into a military base and a strategic point for controlling the Black Sea, and used it to launch its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In the televised interview Putin also gave a clue as to why he was being so open about the problem: Ukraine, he argued, was trying to divide Russian society, weaken its support for the war and increase support for negotiations.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.