Russian fuel shortages bite – but will Putin change tack in Ukraine war?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Russian fuel shortages bite – but will Putin change tack in Ukraine war? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A fuel crisis is currently gripping Russia with long, daily queues at petrol stationsByJames Landale Diplomatic correspondent in MoscowPublished9 minutes agoIf you want to get a sense of the fuel crisis gripping Russia, all you need to do is spend a day driving around Moscow. At almost every petrol station we passed there was a queue of cars and lorries.

Some lines were long, some short; some static, others moving steadily. If there was no queue, that meant the garage had run out of fuel entirely and was closed. Remember: this is Moscow, the wealthy, populated capital that draws in so much of Russia's vast resources.

The Details

Even here the authorities cannot ensure there is enough petrol and diesel to keep Muscovites on the road. Yet, in the queues, the mood was more frustrated than angry. Yekaterina told us she was "not happy" and there was "panic because everybody thinks there will be no oil".

But it would OK, she said, "we just need to reorganise the oil distribution". The situation according to Elmar was "very bad" and he complained prices were going up as fuel stocks ran low. "You are wasting hours to fill up," he said.

"At the moment I am planning a trip to Dagestan but I don't know if I should drive there or not because there are so many problems with petrol. " I asked him who was to blame. "In our country, you can't say what is to blame and who is to blame," he said, with a knowing smile.

What Experts Say

In Russia, criticism of the president, or even the Kremlin, is not something most feel they can do in public. Valery said it was strange having to queue in a country that extracts so much oil. He blamed the lack of Russian preparedness as much as Ukrainian missiles.

"I have no desire to get used to queues," he said. "I hope the situation will change soon and won't be continued. "So the war is coming closer to home for many across Russia.

President Vladimir Putin has worked hard to insulate most people from the consequences of what he calls his special military operation, now well into its fifth year. On the streets of Moscow, one can see little sign of the war, just a few posters about heroic soldiers. Image source, ReutersImage caption, Ukrainian drones and missiles have been targeting oil refineries in Russia including those near MoscowYet what is harder for the authorities to ignore are the increasing number of Ukrainian drone and missile strikes deep into Russian territory, targeting oil refineries, darkening the skies over Moscow and St Petersburg.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.