Russia announced a ban on diesel exports, after imposing a series of other restrictions in recent months to address a fuel shortage caused by Ukrainian strikes on its refineries.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin dedicated to the crisis: "The ban on diesel exports came into effect today, which will allow increasing supplies in the domestic market."

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Novak described the current situation as "complicated," requiring imports of petroleum products to compensate for the shortage.

Intensive strikes

For his part, Putin said that Ukraine "seeks to harm the Russian economy" and "create an atmosphere of tension within society," but stressed that it will not succeed because "the safety margin of the Russian energy grid is very high."

In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its strikes on refineries and oil depots in Russia, repeatedly causing large fires.

The attacks, which coincided with increased fuel demand during the summer season, led to shortages in several regions, especially in the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.