Ukrainian Strikes Cut One-Third of Russian Oil Refining Capacity

Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged more than 50 oil refineries and energy facilities in Russia and occupied Crimea since March, cutting roughly one-third of Russia's refining capacity. Gasoline production fell about 17 percent to 850,000 barrels a day. June fuel output dropped roughly 25 percent to a two-decade low.

Rationing measures have been introduced in multiple Russian regions. Motorists in some areas have reported waiting hours at fuel stations. Diesel prices have risen more than 40 percent since spring. President Vladimir Putin chaired a government meeting last weekend and acknowledged a difficult period for fuel supplies.

He pledged to accelerate repairs at damaged facilities and said Russia would consider importing gasoline to address temporary shortages. Russian forces launched an overnight barrage into Kyiv that killed at least 21 people, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes hit residential areas of the capital while Russian authorities described the targets as military sites.

A United Nations tally reports more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the war. Putin maintains that Russian forces continue to advance across the roughly 1,000-kilometer front line. He said any ceasefire would require Ukraine to withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region and abandon its NATO aspirations.