In a rare public interview, President Vladimir Putin acknowledges that Russia is experiencing fuel shortages tied to Ukrainian drone strikes, according to The Independent. The admission is presented by commentators as a sign that the Kremlin is more openly addressing damage caused by attacks on Russia’s energy and logistics infrastructure, including through air-defence challenges. Multiple outlets reporting on the same episode say the Kremlin confirms it is in talks to import gasoline, reflecting efforts to manage supply shortfalls. Reports also reference ongoing fighting and continued Ukrainian claims of striking Russian oil-related targets. CNN and Sky News coverage situates the admission within the broader war developments, including Ukraine’s stated rationale for strikes on Russian oil refineries and the impact on Russia’s fuel availability. Other referenced coverage includes reporting by The Moscow Times on discussions to obtain gasoline externally. Overall, sources agree the key development is Putin’s public acknowledgment of fuel supply problems and the associated steps to address them, while details of the scale of shortages and specific logistics impacts remain subject to battlefield and official statements.