Russia unleashes massive barrage on Ukraine, killing at least 30 people, as Putin shrugs off energy concerns

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/russia-unleashes-massive-barrage-on-ukraine-killing-at-least-30-people-as-putin-shrugs-off-energy-concerns Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Russia unleashes massive barrage on Ukraine, killing at least 30 people, as Putin shrugs off energy concerns World Jul 3, 2026 11:56 AM EDT Despite severe fuel shortages across Russia, President Vladimir Putin appears unbothered by Ukraine's increasing attacks on his country's oil refineries. He has shrugged off the setback for one of the world's leading oil-producing nations as "not critical," dismissed ceasefire proposals and insisted the war will continue until his goals are met. WATCH: Russia pounds Kyiv with missiles and drones after Ukraine's strikes on oil infrastructure Putin has described the attacks on Russian energy as an effort by Ukraine to distract attention from its losses on the battlefield, although analysts say the advance of Russian forces has been stymied in recent months. The Russian leader appears to believe his government can keep the fuel crisis from eroding his authority and support for the war he launched more than four years ago. The Russian military unleashed a massive 11-hour barrage on the Ukrainian capital overnight into Thursday morning that killed at least 30 people. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Here's a deeper look at the latest exchange of strikes and Putin's refusal to halt the fighting: Gas shortages worsen in Russia as more oil facilities are hit There have been more than 50 reported Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and other energy facilities in Russia and occupied Crimea since March — a barrage Ukrainian leaders have said is intended to pressure Moscow to end the war. At the very least, the attacks have brought the war home even more poignantly for millions of Russians, shattering Putin's narrative of the conflict as something that doesn't affect the lives of ordinary people in his country. An estimated one-third of Russia's refining capacity has been cut off, according to Chris Weafer, CEO of the consultancy Macro-Advisory. The attacks have inflicted lasting damage that will be costly to fix. Despite significant air defenses protecting Russia's capital, a top refinery in Moscow has been hit twice. The second strike on June 18 set it ablaze, damaging key equipment that will reportedly take until the end of the year to repair. With gasoline production in Russia reduced by roughly 17% to 850,000 barrels a day, according to government statistics, rationing has been introduced in many regions, and motorists have had to wait in line for hours to refuel. In an effort to ease the fuel deficit, the government has allowed production of lower quality gasoline with higher sulfur content through the year's end. Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukra