Russia on the brink as insider fears ‘economic collapse’ | World | News
Russia is teetering on the edge of economic collapse as a result of systematic Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, a Russian propagandist has warned. Meanwhile, the leader of the puppet regime installed by Vladimir Putin in Crimea has said fuel can no longer be sold in quantities of more than 30 litres per person as ordinary people feel the pinch.
In a video clip posted on X, Maksim Kalashnikov, a propagandist, admitted the attacks are no longer sporadic but a systematic campaign aimed at shattering Russia‘s economy. He said: “The war is now waged not for the complete destruction of the Russian Federation, of course, but its collapse,” highlighting a 17% disruption in refining capacity. The fuel crisis was deepening, with the voices of those advocating rationed consumption growing louder, Kalashnikov explained.
He added: “I can state that the situation is deteriorating,” underscoring the severity.
Kalashnikov added: “Ukraine‘s strategy, targeting critical infrastructure like the Druzhba pipeline and Blue Stream, exploits Russia‘s vulnerability, pushing the nation towards an unprecedented economic crisis.
“The insider’s fear of collapse echoes through the halls of power, signalling a turning point in the conflict.”
In another video also shared via X, Sergey Aksenov, head of the Kremlin-backed Republic of Crimean, said: “The situation is under control and we are operating in manual mode.”
“We will coordinate this at all gas stations, with no exceptions.
“I ask all Crimeans to be patient. We are currently in a situation where it is objectively not possible to quickly chnge the situation.
“If there is no panic-buying, we will get through this stage without major losses.”
Ukraine‘s strategy of targeting Russian oil refineries has significantly impacted Russia‘s energy sector, aiming to disrupt its economic lifeline.
Ukrainian forces have employed drones and long-range missiles, such as ATACMS, to strike key facilities.
Notable examples include the Kirishi refinery in Leningrad, which produces 18 million metric tons of crude oil annually, and the Krasnodar and Syzran refineries, hit in August 2025.
Such attacks have caused explosions, fires, and operational disruptions, with the Ukrainian military reporting “numerous” incidents and Russian officials acknowledging intercepted drones.
Rosstat data indicates that Russia‘s oil refining capacity was approximately 5.5 million barrels per day in 2024.
As of September 2025, Ukrainian strikes have disrupted about 17% of this capacity, leading to a fuel crisis. Gasoline prices have surged, with retail prices increasing by 15% in the European part of Russia alone.
This has exacerbated domestic shortages, with rationing discussions emerging. The economic strain is evident, as oil exports, a critical revenue source, face bottlenecks.
In 2024, Russia exported around 7.5 million barrels of oil daily, but disruptions have reduced this by nearly one million barrels, affecting global markets and prompting calls for tougher sanctions.
Ukraine‘s tactic leverages economic warfare, aiming to weaken Russia‘s war effort by targeting its infrastructure, showcasing a shift towards asymmetric warfare with significant strategic implications.
