Russia is considering importing fuel as continued Ukrainian strikes cripple its energy sector, according to a local report.
Citing two unnamed sources, the Vedomosti daily said the measure, brought up during a meeting led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, could seek to address fuel disruptions stemming from attacks on oil refineries.
Reuters noted that different regions across the country have reported restrictions on fuel sales, rising oil prices and long queues at gas stations.
Authorities in occupied Crimea recently halted gas sales for civilians this week as attacks against the territory ramp up.
Sergey Aksyonov, the head of Crimea appointed by the Kremlin, said the most recent attacks killed four people and wounded dozens more.
He went on to say that gas sales for non-state companies and individuals would be halted for an indefinite period to "ensure the functioning and security of the Republic of Crimea."
The city of Sevastopol on Monday announced "enforced temporary measures" to address the situation, including the end of public transport after 10 p.m. and the closure of large shops and cafes two hours earlier. Street lights will also be turned off during parts of the day.
The Associated Press noted that Kyiv has been targeting fuel supplies to Crimea in the past weeks, creating the worst energy crisis in the region since Moscow seized the peninsula in 2014.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that an oil depot in Crimea and an oil transport facility in Krasnodar, in southern Russia, were among the targets. "Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is certainly working for peace," he said.
The country last week conducted what appeared to be the largest attack on Moscow yet, hitting a major oil refinery and sending large plumes of smoke over the Russian capital.
Kyiv said the attack was retaliation for Russian strikes that hit a historic monastery in the country, drawing condemnation from different parts of the world.
"This is a fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities, and another important result of our warriors' work against facilities that sustain Russia's war machine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post on Thursday.
"In recent days, all of our partners have noted the precision and effectiveness of our mid-range strikes and long-range sanctions. It is time the war ended, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy," Zelensky added.
NBC News noted that the struck refinery, called Kapotnya, is located just 10 miles away from the kremlin.
Russia, in turn, vowed to escalate its attacks. "It is no coincidence that the president announced some time ago, after yet another Kyiv terrorist attack, that we will now conduct massive group strikes on a regular basis against targets whose condition directly affects the combat readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last Thursday.
