Putin backs small refinery network to counter Ukrainian strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed a proposal to develop a nationwide network of small oil refineries as Moscow seeks to strengthen fuel supplies amid continued Ukrainian attacks on major refining infrastructure.

The initiative was discussed during a government meeting broadcast by the Kremlin's press service.

The proposal was put forward by Alexander Osipov, governor of Zabaykalsky Krai, who argued that expanding the number of smaller refining facilities would help address fuel supply challenges and reduce the vulnerability of Russia's energy infrastructure.

Putin endorsed the proposal, stressing that a more decentralized refining network would be harder to disrupt.

"The broader the network, the harder it is to inflict damage on it," the Russian president said.

He instructed the government to examine the possibility of allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to produce gasoline, saying the measure could help ease the country's fuel shortages and improve the resilience of domestic fuel supplies.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the government had already taken steps to stabilize the fuel market by postponing scheduled maintenance at several oil refineries and bringing additional refining capacity online.

By Vafa Guliyeva