Ukrainian drone campaign forces Putin to admit fuel crisis in Crimea

Ukraine's intensified strikes on Russian refineries and supply lines in annexed Crimea have created civilian fuel shortages, prompting Vladimir Putin to acknowledge on June 29 that attacks were "obviously creating problems." The Russian-appointed governor suspended civilian gasoline sales in mid-June. While Putin denied shortages were "critical," the rare admission signals Ukraine's campaign is inflicting measurable economic pressure on the peninsula and its supply chains.