Russia imposed a ban on diesel exports on Wednesday, following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries that led to domestic gasoline shortages and sharp price increases.
The restriction comes as motorists in several Russian regions face long queues at filling stations due to reduced fuel supplies.
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Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak addressed the crisis during a televised government meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin.
“It is clear that the current situation at filling stations is causing concern among the public,” Novak said.
Meanwhile, Russian ballistic missiles and drones struck Ukraine on Wednesday morning, killing at least three people in Kyiv and four in Odesa.
Additional missile attacks hit Kharkiv, killing two people in a residential building. A Ukrainian overnight drone strike inside Russia killed one person.
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NATO Summit and Geopolitical Tensions
The air strikes coincided with a NATO summit in Ankara, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed interceptor production licenses with Donald Trump.
Moscow criticized NATO's military aid to Ukraine, warning of severe geopolitical consequences.
“The militarisation of the European continent, the focus on building up defence capabilities, preparation for an armed conflict with Russia, and, of course, aid to Ukraine,” said Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry.
Zakharova expressed regret over NATO's strategic decisions, stating, “It is a pity, because if NATO strategists had stopped and thought for a moment, they might not have made such irresponsible decisions that could lead to a catastrophe not just for the alliance, but for the whole world.”
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The US commitment to allowing local production of Patriot missile interceptors remains vague, with no direct talks yet between Washington and major aerospace manufacturers Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation.
