Russian Economy, Preparation for War, and Valdai

Let us begin with the worsening Russian fuel crisis. Let's start with a map of regions, as that is getting closer to the centers of power.

Fuel supply disruptions have been recorded to varying degrees.

Disruptions were also recorded in five more oblasts — the crisis is increasingly affecting the central regions of the Russian Federation.

Compiled by Bulgarian economic analyst Stanimir Dobrev.

So watch this as it continues to build. One solution is to import gas. Note that capacity is currently down to 40 percent. Here, via the Kyiv Independent, which is quoting Komersant:

Russia is preparing to import gasoline from China and other Asian countries to offset a growing domestic fuel shortage, following the shutdown of nearly 40% of its oil refining capacity, the pro-government outlet Kommersant reported on Oct. 1.

The move comes amid a series of Ukrainian drone and missile strikes that have severely disrupted operations at Russian refineries, a key component of the Kremlin’s wartime economy. Some facilities have been forced to halt production indefinitely.