Some Muscovites said they encountered shortages and long lines at the pump.
Topic: defense & securityRegion: asia pacificUpdated: i2 outletsSources: 3Spectrum: Center Only⏱ 5 min read📡 Wire pickup: 2
Story Summary
SITUATION
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine executed its largest drone strike on Moscow, targeting the city's oil refinery with nearly 200 drones. This unprecedented attack has triggered immediate concerns among residents about fuel availability and prices, with reports indicating that gasoline prices have surged to over 90 rubles ($1.23) per liter, a notable increase from approxi
Coveragetap to expand ▾Spectrum: Center Only🌍US: 1 · Asia: 1 · Other: 1
Political Spectrum
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i2 outlets · Center
Left
Center
Right
Left: 0
Center: 3
Right: 0
Geography Coverage
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i2 unique outlets · Dominant: US/Canada
KEY FACTS
- Residents were stunned by images of thick black smoke rising over the city’s south, the shutdown of major roads and airports, and reports of black rain falling in some districts.
- As the immediate shock faded, many Muscovites turned their attention to a more practical concern: Will the region have enough fuel and how much will it cost?
- Some drivers in several Moscow districts and near the capital were already reporting gasoline prices rising to more than 90 rubles ($1.23) per liter on Thursday, compared with about 70 rubles before the attack.
- Residents in Moscow’s outer suburbs also reported that some filling stations had stopped selling gasoline in jerry cans.
- Some level of gasoline shortage in the Moscow region is unavoidable, according to Sergey Vakulenko, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin and a former Russian oil executive.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated significantly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This invasion marked a critical turning point, leading to widespread condemnation and sanctions against Russia from Western nations.
Over the years, the war has seen numerous developments, including Ukraine's increasing reliance on Western military support and technology, which has enabled it to conduct more sophisticated operations against Russian targets.
Brief
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine executed its largest drone strike on Moscow, targeting the city's oil refinery with nearly 200 drones.
This unprecedented attack has triggered immediate concerns among residents about fuel availability and prices, with reports indicating that gasoline prices have surged to over 90 rubles ($1.23) per liter, a notable increase from approximately 70 rubles prior to the strike.
The aftermath of the attack has left many Muscovites stunned, as they witnessed thick black smoke rising over the city and experienced disruptions, including the shutdown of major roads and airports.
As the shock subsides, practical concerns about fuel shortages have taken center stage, with some drivers facing long lines at gas stations and reports of filling stations in the outer suburbs halting gasoline sales in jerry cans.
Sergey Vakulenko, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, has warned that a gasoline shortage in the Moscow region is likely unavoidable, reflecting the broader implications of the ongoing war. The attack underscores the deepening impact of the conflict on everyday life in Russia, as residents grapple with the realities of fuel scarcity amid a prolonged war.
The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further developments as both sides assess their next moves in this escalating conflict.
Sources
3 of 3 linked articles