The Kremlin insists Russia’s fuel supplies remain stable despite a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on major oil refineries in recent days. Officials say production disruptions are manageable and partly linked to seasonal maintenance work.

Kremlin sees no risk to fuel supply in Russia amid attacks on refineries

May 21, 2026

Reuters

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov looks on ahead of the signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to China, May 20, 2026.

Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

There are no risks to fuel supplies in Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday in response to a Reuters report about a decline in oil refining in the central part of the country following Ukrainian drone attacks in recent days.

Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, doubling the number of oil refineries targeted since the start of the year, according to various posts on social media by Russian officials.

"No, the Kremlin does not see such risks. Indeed, production may be reduced in some regions. This, by the way, is also due to seasonal maintenance," Peskov told a daily conference when asked to comment on possible risks to fuel supply.

"Overall, the entire fuel balance has been calculated and has the necessary compensation system," he added.

Among the targeted oil refineries are Kirishi in western Russia, Moscow oil refinery as well as plants in Nizhny Novgorod on the Volga river, Ryazan and Yaroslavl.

Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian military and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Rosneft-owned Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region overnight.

-Reporting by Anastasia Lyrchikova; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Tomasz Janowski/Reuters