Fuel panic and Kremlin criticism: Russians react to attack on Moscow refinery

Following the attack on the Moscow oil refinery, the number of critical comments directed at the authorities on Russian social media has increased sharply. Most users did not believe official statements about the minor consequences of the attack and began to accuse the country’s leadership of lying.

This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation.

According to the Center, over 78% of organic comments under official Russian government posts are negative. This, analysts say, indicates a serious decline in trust in official information in Russia.

In their comments, Russians openly question officials’ claims that there was no serious damage. Many acknowledge that the strike was effective and hit an important infrastructure facility.

Additional discontent was caused by restrictions at Tatneft gas stations, where fuel sales limits were introduced and payments were made exclusively in cash. Social media users attributed these steps to the consequences of the attack on the refinery.

This has led to fears among Moscow residents about possible fuel shortages and rising prices, with some even suggesting that the authorities may return to a card-based system for distributing resources.

The CPR also drew attention to the general fatigue of Russians from war. In many posts, people write about the vulnerability of the Russian capital from drone attacks, and also criticize the authorities for their indifference to the safety of citizens.

The Center believes that this reaction indicates a gradual growth of discontent within Russia. Despite years of propaganda work, more and more Russians are beginning to link their own problems and the worsening situation in the country with the Kremlin’s decisions and the continuation of the war against Ukraine.

As a reminder, on the night of Tuesday, June 16, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Moscow Region of Russia . The Ukrainian military also struck control points, warehouses, and facilities of the Russian military-industrial complex.