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Fuel Shortages Spread Across Russia as Ukrainian Strikes Disrupt Supplies

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Fuel shortages are spreading across Russia as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to disrupt refinery operations and fuel supply chains. What began as shortages in Russian-annexed Crimea has now extended to parts of southern Russia and even Moscow, with long queues, temporary fuel station closures and purchase restrictions reported in several regions. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the disruptions, saying the government is working to address the situation.

In Crimea, authorities have suspended fuel sales to private motorists and reduced operating hours for public transport and businesses. In Sevastopol, limited fuel sales triggered long queues, while prices surged to nearly three times their normal levels. Similar shortages have emerged in Rostov-on-Don, where some petrol stations have run out of fuel, affecting residents and businesses that rely on regular supplies.

Although major fuel retailers in Moscow have largely kept prices stable, some privately owned stations have increased prices by more than 10%, and queues have appeared at several locations. The widening shortages highlight the growing impact of Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, as the conflict increasingly affects daily life far beyond the front lines.

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Russian Hardliners Urge Putin to Escalate War and End U.S.-Brokered Talks

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Russian nationalist hardliners are urging President Vladimir Putin to intensify the war in Ukraine and abandon U.S.-mediated peace efforts following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory. The renewed calls come after attacks targeting Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea and other locations, prompting demands for stronger military action.

Some pro-war commentators have called for expanded strikes on Kyiv, the targeting of Ukrainian leadership and critical infrastructure, and even the abandonment of diplomatic negotiations. While some of the rhetoric includes extreme proposals, analysts say it reflects growing concern within nationalist circles over Ukraine’s ability to carry out long-range attacks and the effectiveness of Russia’s current strategy.

Despite the pressure, the Kremlin has so far resisted calls to end negotiations or adopt the most aggressive measures. Russian officials have expressed frustration over stalled U.S.-brokered peace efforts, but President Putin continues to signal confidence in Russia’s military campaign while leaving the door open for a potential diplomatic solution alongside ongoing battlefield operations.

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Kremlin Seeks Answers After Apple Removes Russian Apps from App Store

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Russia has demanded an explanation from Apple after several applications linked to Russian technology company VK were removed from the App Store without prior notice. VK, which operates popular social media, messaging, video, email, and educational platforms, said the company is not subject to U.S. sanctions and described Apple’s decision as unfair and unacceptable for millions of Russian users.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian authorities would formally seek clarification from Apple and warned that Moscow could reconsider future cooperation with the company if satisfactory answers are not provided. He also suggested that affected users could switch to Android devices, where VK’s applications remain available.

The dispute comes amid Russia’s broader effort to reduce reliance on Western technology platforms since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022. Moscow has increasingly promoted domestic digital services, including VK’s state-backed MAX messenger, while strengthening control over the country’s online ecosystem. VK remains one of Russia’s largest internet companies, with millions of daily users across its social media and video platforms.

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Ukrainian Drone Strike on Moscow Refinery Highlights War’s Growing Impact Inside Russia

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A major Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region has brought the realities of the war closer to Russia’s capital, striking an oil refinery and causing visible disruption across parts of the city. Thick black smoke rose over the skyline following the attack, while reports indicated that residential buildings and commercial properties were also affected. Local authorities said an eight-year-old girl was killed in a fire linked to the strikes.

The attack is being described as one of the largest aerial assaults on the Moscow region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While many residents have grown accustomed to periodic drone attacks and security incidents, the strike underscored the increasing reach of the conflict into Russian territory. Some residents expressed shock at the scale of the attack, while others viewed it as part of a new normal created by the prolonged war.

Russian officials and state media sought to downplay the impact, emphasizing that Russia’s military operations in Ukraine remain more extensive and effective. However, repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, including oil facilities, have raised concerns about economic pressure, fuel shortages, and rising costs. Despite the growing frequency of such incidents, the Kremlin has signalled no change in its military strategy and remains committed to continuing the conflict.

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Moscow Residents Report ‘Oil Rain’ as Kyiv Launches Largest-Ever Drone Barrage Against Russian Capital

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A massive Ukrainian air assault involving nearly 200 drones targeted the Russian capital, triggering a major fire at the Kapotnya oil refinery and prompting Moscow residents to report a fine, oily “black rain” coating their clothes and vehicles. The unprecedented strike, described as Kyiv’s largest drone offensive since the start of the full-scale war, wounded at least 17 people in the wider Moscow region, set ablaze a nearby shopping center, and forced the temporary closure of the city’s four major airports. While municipal authorities denied the existence of toxic fallout, the city’s official Telegram channels paradoxically warned vulnerable residents, the elderly, and families with children to urgently evacuate the affected southeastern districts and keep all windows tightly sealed.

The catastrophic bombardment caused massive explosions at the refinery—marking its third strike this month—with verified footage capturing the dramatic moment an oil silo roof was blown dozens of meters into the air. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky explicitly framed the operation as direct retaliation for a recent devastating Russian attack on Kyiv that desecrated the historic Pechersk Lavra monastery, warning, “If Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn too.” In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threatened immediate, mass-scale military reprisals, while Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted nearly 1,000 drones and four cruise missiles across the country over a 24-hour window, including an attack in the Rostov region that left one person dead.

The sophisticated multi-wave assault bypassed extensive anti-air networks by utilizing hundreds of reconnaissance decoy drones to exhaust local defenses before the primary explosive payloads struck. The scale of the breach has raised serious domestic questions regarding the defense capabilities protecting Russia’s most critical infrastructure, shattering the illusion of safety for ordinary Muscovites living 500 kilometers from the border. As the war of attrition intensifies, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha addressed the panic on social media, telling bewildered Moscow residents that the strikes are the direct consequence of their state’s ongoing aggression and urging them to demand an end to the conflict from Vladimir Putin.

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Putin Says Ukraine War May Be Nearing Its End

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the conflict in Ukraine could be approaching an end, saying after Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow that the “special military operation” was “coming to an end.” During his speech, Putin criticised Western nations for continuing to support and arm Ukraine, accusing Nato countries of fuelling the conflict. The annual Red Square parade was notably scaled back this year, with no tanks or heavy military hardware displayed amid fears of possible Ukrainian attacks.

Putin also indicated he would only agree to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once a long-term peace agreement had been finalised. He said negotiations could take place in a third country and mentioned former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred negotiating partner for broader European security discussions. Meanwhile, European leaders have hinted at possible future talks with Moscow, with EU officials saying there may be potential for negotiations at the right moment.

Although a US-brokered temporary ceasefire reduced tensions during the Victory Day celebrations, both Russia and Ukraine later accused each other of violating the truce through drone strikes and artillery attacks. The two sides have agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, but Moscow claims it has yet to receive confirmation from Kyiv. The conflict, which began with Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, continues despite renewed diplomatic signals.

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Russia, Ukraine Trade Blame as WW2 Ceasefire Fails Amid Ongoing Attacks

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Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a two-day ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin during celebrations marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Moscow claimed Ukrainian drones and artillery targeted Russian regions including Belgorod, Kursk, Moscow, and Perm, while Kyiv said Russian forces continued overnight strikes on Ukrainian positions despite the truce announcement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the limited holiday ceasefire and instead called for an indefinite truce, accusing Russia of making no real attempt to stop fighting. Russia warned that any disruption to Saturday’s Victory Day parade in Moscow would trigger a major missile response against Kyiv, while security around the Kremlin and Red Square has been significantly tightened ahead of the event.

The war, now in its fifth year since Russia’s 2022 invasion, continues with no breakthrough in peace talks. Russia currently controls nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, though advances have slowed this year. Moscow is using the WW2 Victory Day celebrations to rally public support, but rising security concerns and disruptions across the capital reflect growing tensions as both sides continue heavy drone, missile, and artillery attacks.

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Russia Restricts Mobile Internet Ahead of Victory Day Parade

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Russia has limited mobile internet access in major cities including Moscow and St Petersburg ahead of the May 9 World War II Victory Day parade. Authorities say the мера is necessary to ensure security amid fears of Ukrainian drone attacks, which have intensified in recent months. While mobile data services were disrupted, basic phone calls continued to function in many areas.

The ограничения have caused widespread inconvenience, affecting digital payments, navigation, and taxi services. Major companies like Sberbank and Yandex warned users about potential service disruptions. Reports indicated that internet outages extended beyond the capital to several regions across European Russia, forcing many residents to rely on VPNs.

The меры come amid escalating conflict following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with both sides increasingly deploying drones in warfare. Russian officials said hundreds of Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight, while a refinery in the Leningrad region was hit, sparking a fire. The annual parade has been scaled back this year due to security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict.

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Security Agents Raid Office of Independent Russian Newspaper

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Masked security service agents conducted a search at the Moscow office of Novaya Gazeta on Thursday, according to the publication. The newspaper said it was unaware of the reason behind the operation and claimed its lawyers were denied access to the premises during the search.

Russia’s state news agency reported that they may be linked to an investigation into the alleged illegal use of personal data. The incident comes amid increasing pressure on independent media following Russia’s 2022 war in Ukraine, during which authorities have tightened censorship laws and oversight.

In a separate ruling the same day, Russia’s Supreme Court declared Memorial an extremist group, exposing its supporters to possible prosecution. Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta and a Nobel Peace Prize co-winner, has previously been labeled a “foreign agent,” reflecting the broader crackdown on dissenting voices.

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Russia’s Gulf Pivot Fuels Surge in Arabic-Speaking Tourists

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Russia is witnessing a sharp rise in visitors from Gulf nations as closer diplomatic and economic ties translate into a tourism boom. From husky sledding near Moscow to hot air balloon rides over snow-covered landscapes, tourists from Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are embracing winter experiences unfamiliar in their desert homelands. Attractions around the capital have added Arabic signage and tailored services to cater to the growing influx.

The surge comes amid Moscow’s strategic pivot away from the West during its war in Ukraine, strengthening engagement with Gulf states that have played diplomatic roles in prisoner exchanges and humanitarian efforts. Increased direct flights, visa-free arrangements and warmer political ties have supported the growth. Saudi Arabia ranked second among foreign visitors last year with nearly 75,000 tourists — a 36% annual increase — while arrivals from the UAE exceeded 59,000. Tour operators say some markets, including Saudi Arabia, have expanded nearly fifteenfold compared with pre-pandemic levels.

Despite sanctions and logistical hurdles, including airport disruptions and cash payment limitations due to suspended Western card services, Gulf tourists are spending heavily on luxury hotels, shopping and premium experiences. Russia recorded 1.64 million foreign visitors in 2025, a modest increase from the previous year though still below pre-pandemic peaks. Industry leaders say demand from Arab countries continues to grow, even as security checks and geopolitical tensions present ongoing challenges.

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