Putin's war chest under pressure amid sinking oil revenue
global.espreso.tv
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:17:00 +0200

Bloomberg reported the information.Russia's financial lifeline for its war in Ukraine is facing significant strain as its seaborne crude oil shipments have plunged to a two-month low.Vessel-tracking data compiled in the four weeks leading to November 9 showed the country's daily shipments dropped to 3.45 million barrels. This marks a significant decline of approximately 130,000 barrels per day from the prior four-week period, compounding the Kremlin's revenue problems as global oil prices have also softened.This downturn coincides with new pressure tactics from the West. Last month, the United States sanctioned two of Russia’s largest oil producers, a move that prompted some buyers in Asia to state they would scale back purchases. However, the true extent of any buying curtailments is difficult to ascertain, as tankers frequently wait until the last possible moment to reveal their final destinations.Adding to the economic pressure, Ukraine has intensified its military strikes on critical Russian oil infrastructure. These attacks have targeted everything from refineries and crude pipelines to vital sea terminals, directly challenging Russia's ability to export its most valuable commodity.Despite these mounting financial woes, there is no indication that the pressure has diminished Vladimir Putin’s war aims. Russian forces continue to pound Ukrainian cities, killing civilians. As winter approaches—nearly four years after the full-scale invasion began—these strikes are once again focused on destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure, threatening to leave millions without heat, gas, or electricity.On Wednesday, October 22, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, due to Moscow’s lack of readiness to end the war in Ukraine.On the night of November 11, Russian authorities in Saratov reported a drone attack, which led to a fire at an oil refinery in the city.On Tuesday, November 11, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery in Russia's Orenburg region.







