Fuel crisis grips Russia after months of Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries

The fuel crisis — unprecedented for a nation that's one of the world's biggest energy producers — has brought Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine home to ordinary Russians.

Fuel rationing has been introduced in many regions, with hourslong queues of cars snaking beside roads.

Social media videos show drivers aghast at the lines or swearing at empty gas pumps and rising prices.

The mayor of the Siberian city of Irkutsk even ordered portable toilets brought in to accommodate those in line.

It drew a rare admission from President Vladimir Putin, who acknowledged the problems for motorists and businesses.