(MOSCOW) – Russia’s fuel crisis is set to persist because the country has failed to protect its oil refineries from Ukrainian drone attacks, according to a review of the Russian press.
The independent newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports that the oil refining industry is constantly having to recover from drone strikes, making it virtually impossible to lead the country out of the fuel crisis amid constant attacks on unprotected infrastructure. Russians are questioning why protective structures have not been built around storage facilities and refineries, especially since such protection has long been in place in Arab states, the report says.
The government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reminds drivers that lower grade petrol, which can damage some components in modern vehicles, has been put on sale to help ease fuel shortages. Motorists are advised to check the emissions class of their fuel.
The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has commented on the petrol problems, playing them down while making it clear that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is in charge of resolving the issue. “There are certain inconveniences for people, but the government of course must keep this under control,” Putin said.
On the war in Ukraine, the army newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda declares “Victory will be ours!” It reports that Putin told the Congress of the United Russia party that no turning point in the confrontation with Russia could happen or has happened. The paper states the Kyiv regime and its sponsors cannot get, have not got, and never will get the advantage.
The Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper claims Ukraine’s chief task now is to take a break, restore its infrastructure, and rebuild weapons stocks. A political analyst told the paper that Russians are demanding the authorities be harsher towards Ukraine and show more initiative. He claims there is a demand for escalation, for increased pressure, and to accelerate the “special military operation” to the full. The analyst states there are no calls for peace on Ukraine’s terms, but a demand for peace on Russia’s terms.
He adds that the number of people demanding the use of nuclear weapons is growing regardless of the consequences. However, a recent poll by the Levada agency showed that around two thirds of Russians favour peace negotiations now over a continuation of the war.
A few days ago, the only anti war party registered for next month’s parliamentary election, Yabloko, was removed from the ballot. It is widely believed this decision reflects concern from the authorities that Yabloko’s anti war message was striking a chord with a section of society. The political analyst concedes that in Russian society, the level of anxiety has risen significantly and now exceeds the level of calm, creating a breeding ground for protest sentiment.
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