Fuel and Power Shortages in Crimea Signal Strain in Russia's War Economy

The head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said he informs President Vladimir Putin on a regular basis about the situation with fuel supply and electricity in the region, an acknowledgment that shortages have become a persistent management problem rather than a passing disruption. Ukraine's sustained strikes on Russian refineries and logistics have reduced fuel availability in several southern regions.

Separately, a Russian arbitration court granted a claim by the state technology corporation Rosnano against Anatoly Chubais, its former head, and former board members, ordering them to pay 11.9 billion rubles in damages linked to a failed project. The suit alleged unreasonable conduct by the defendants.

Together the two developments point to growing pressure inside Russia's economy. Energy rationing in outlying regions and legal action over past state investment occur alongside a growth model that increasingly depends on wartime spending to sustain demand.