Putin minimizes Ukrainian attacks on refineries
Despite serious fuel shortages in Russia, President Vladimir Putin downplays Ukrainian attacks on his refineries. He describes them as an attempt to divert attention from kyiv’s defeats on the battlefield. Analysts point out that the Russian advance has slowed in recent months.
The attacks have reduced almost a third of refining capacity. Gasoline production fell 17%, to 850 thousand barrels per day. Rationing has been implemented in many regions and motorists wait in long lines to fill up with fuel. Crimea, illegally annexed in 2014, suffers the worst shortages: gasoline sales to individuals have been periodically suspended.
Putin chaired a meeting last weekend to address the issue. In televised statements he acknowledged a “difficult period” and promised to speed up repairs. It also said it will increase production of anti-aircraft systems to repel future attacks.
Offensive in Ukraine and rejection of truce
On Thursday, a massive Russian bombing of kyiv left at least 30 dead, one of the deadliest attacks since the start of the invasion. The UN counts more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians killed in the war.
Putin rejected Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal. It conditions any truce on Ukraine withdrawing from parts of Donetsk, abandoning its NATO aspirations and reducing its military. He also dismissed mutually stopping deep strikes, stating that the Russians are “much more powerful and destructive.”
On Friday, Putin visited military headquarters in Ukraine to receive briefings on the capture of Kostyantynivka, which he called “great strategic importance.” Ukraine has not confirmed the fall of the city and reported having repelled 24 Russian attacks nearby.
