Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has suggested that Vladimir Putin might 'jump out of a window with his family' as Russia's petrol crisis deepens, with fist fights erupting at pumps and oligarchs increasingly doubting his leadership. Speaking to RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, Tsahkna said: 'Even among the oligarchs, more and more are doubting Putin's war. Many who spoke of victory a year ago no longer believe it.'
Ukrainian strikes cripple Russian oil infrastructure
Ukrainian strikes on key oil facilities are severely damaging Russia's economy, according to foreign officials. Ukraine has vowed to halt the strikes if Putin ends his war, but he refuses, at increasing cost to Russians. 'Putin could change his goals and enter into serious negotiations – if he acts rationally,' Tsahkna added. 'It's just as possible that one day he'll jump out of a window with his family. After all, things like that happen in Russia.'
Violence erupts at petrol stations across Russia
Anger at Putin is not limited to oligarchs. Multiple drivers joined a fight in the town of Penza after motorists were accused of jumping the queue. In Moscow, a woman tearfully claimed a knife-wielding man slashed her tyres, accusing her of cutting him off. 'This guy just ran out, threatened me with a knife, and slashed my tyres because he thought I was cutting in front of him at the petrol station,' she said.
In the mining town of Serov in Sverdlovsk Oblast, police were called after a male driver punched a woman while shouting at others. A fight also broke out at a forecourt in Ryazan. In Siberia, two women argued over who was ahead in the line. Mafia groups have sought to capitalise on the shortage, with police in one region intervening after a cabal resold fuel at triple its market price.
Putin concedes problems but downplays crisis
Ukrainian forces hit several critical targets, including a drone strike on the Moscow refinery of oil giant Gazprom Neft. Putin attempted to address the crisis, which has spread to all 83 Russian regions. He conceded Ukrainian air strikes on infrastructure had caused 'problems' for motorists and businesses but insisted fuel reserves were only four per cent down on last year.
