---
title: "Fuel Collapse: How Strikes on Refineries Paralyzed the Logistics of the Russian Armed Forces"
description: "A fuel collapse has begun within the Russian Armed Forces: soldiers complain about limits of 20 liters per vehicle and are forced to walk for water due to a lack of gasoline. Strikes on refineries in Russia have halted 40% of processing, and Putin has acknowledged the problems but called the situation non-critical. 🛢️🚫"
date: 2026-07-22T23:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/fuel-collapse-russian-armed-forces-strikes-on-refineries-en
tags: [vse, russia, npp, fuel-crisis, vladimir-putin]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Fuel Collapse: How Strikes on Refineries Paralyzed the Logistics of the Russian Armed Forces

![Ukrainian soldiers near an air defense missile system amid fuel shortages](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/22/toplivnyj-kollaps-vsu-udary-po-npz/toplivnyj-kollaps-vsu-udary-po-npz-1.webp)

A serious crisis has begun within the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces, caused by a shortage of fuel and lubricants. The situation has been exacerbated by a series of mass strikes on Russian oil refineries, which, according to data, have led to the shutdown of a significant portion of processing in Russia. Now, even the occupiers are complaining that there is practically nothing to refuel combat vehicles with.

Information about the shortage is confirmed by reports from RBK-Ukraine citing the publication "Versta". Several servicemen interviewed by journalists spoke about a sharp reduction in the supply of gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as the introduction of strict restrictions on refueling equipment.

### Limits of 20 liters and walking 11 kilometers

According to one of the servicemen, the fuel supply system has undergone radical changes. If previously fuel was issued in the volume necessary to carry out combat tasks, now there is a strict limit — no more than 20 liters per vehicle per day.

"There is a complete mess with gasoline. Everyone is allocated very little. There is a catastrophic shortage of gasoline," shared one of the occupiers.

Other servicemen also confirm the fact of reduced supplies. One of the mobilized estimated the reduction in volumes at 30%. According to him, the restrictions affected not only combat vehicles but also transport used for logistics — the delivery of ammunition and food.

The problem has become particularly acute in the Zaporizhzhia direction. A soldier in the combat zone said that previously about 20 liters of gasoline were brought to the position, but now the norm has been reduced to 10–15 liters. Due to the lack of fuel, he and his comrades have to walk 11 kilometers to deliver water, food, and other necessary resources.

"The further, the worse," stated the serviceman, admitting that he does not understand how to fight effectively under such conditions.

### Scale of the problem and the Kremlin's reaction

In the last two months, Ukrainian drone strikes have halted up to 40% of oil refining in Russia. As a result, a third of the country was left without fuel, and the fuel crisis has affected the lives of 50 million citizens of the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin acknowledged the existence of problems with fuel supply, however, he stated that the situation is "not critical". Nevertheless, Russia has already begun redirecting fuel flows, taking gasoline from Belarus, which was previously intended for Central Asian countries. Experts note that even record volumes of such supplies do not allow for the complete elimination of the emerging deficit.