Russia faces summer fuel crisis as Ukraine steps up refinery attacks

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his forces struck Russia's

major Ufa oil refinery for the second time in a week.

Drone attacks on oil refineries are choking supplies and plunging Russia

into a summer fuel crisis.

This is made evident by the growing lines at gas stations

across Russia as the country continues to faces uncertainty after months of

attacks. 

Fuel rationing has been introduced to many regions, with hourslong queues

snaking beside roads.

The fuel crisis is unprecedented for a nation that is one of the world's largest

energy producers.

Reports show more than 40 reported attacks by Ukraine on oil refineries,

depots, terminals and other oil infrastructure in Russia and the annexed

Crimean Peninsula since April.

As a result, the amount of crude oil Russia processed into fuel in

June was down 25% from a year ago, to 3.95 million barrels per day -

the lowest level in over two decades.

In a rare admission from Russian President Vladimir Putin, he acknowledges

the problem but insists the shortage is "temporary" and "not critical."