ConflictUkraine's Drone Strikes Spark Russia's Fuel CrisisAired August 28, 2026 at 5:36 PM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Ukrainian drones have knocked a third of Russia's refining capacity offline.0:04That has cut fuel supplies for Russians, sent prices up, and forced Moscow to ban0:08diesel exports, hitting global markets.0:11The big question now, can Russia repair its refineries faster than the drones can0:14strike them?0:15At its peak in June, more than 2 million barrels of refining capacity was offline, a0:20third of the total.0:21In fact, drones have hit all 11 of Russia's largest refineries and more than 24 of0:26its 34 plants, covering 81% of capacity.0:30Russia's gasoline ban came first in April.0:32By June, capacity loss peaked, then the diesel ban hit on July 8th and was extended0:37through August.0:38Strikes continue hitting refineries like Ryazan, Novoshoktinsk, and even Omsk, over0:432,500 kilometers away.0:45Before the strikes, Russia shipped about 800,000 barrels a day of diesel, second0:49only to the U.S.0:51After the ban, that collapsed to under 100,000.0:54Officials must decide by August 31 whether to extend the diesel ban.0:58Meanwhile, Aviation fuel exports are banned through November and gasoline through1:03January.1:03Retail prices are up 19% this year.1:06Stations limit drivers to 20 to 50 liters.1:09Putin has acknowledged a certain deficit.1:11To cover the gap, Russia imported over a million barrels of gasoline from India.1:16This is part of a broader shock.1:18Conflict-affected countries supply 43% of the world's oil.1:21As of late August, the campaign shows no sign of letting up.1:25Fresh strikes hit Kostovo, Novoshoktinsk, Afipsky, Perm, and Yaroslavl.1:29Refinery runs remain near multi-decade lows.1:32Whether repairs can outrun the drones will decide Russia's diesel market and its1:35export earnings through the fall.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗