Ukraine war latest: ‘Big crisis’ for Zelenskyy after call for wartime elections and anti-corruption raids

19th August, 2026 | News

Ukraine War: Political Tensions Rise as Russia Faces Fuel Shortages

Political tensions in Ukraine have intensified as the country’s recently removed defence minister called for a presidential election to be held despite the ongoing war, while a senior official in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office faces investigation as part of a major anti-corruption probe.

Ukraine’s political developments come amid continued military pressure from Russia and growing economic challenges on both sides.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parliament has approved Yevhenii Khmara as the country’s new defence minister. However, his appointment has attracted criticism from some lawmakers.

MP Mariana Bezuhla reportedly questioned Khmara about defence procurement and how the ministry would respond if military requirements from the General Staff failed to reflect the realities of modern warfare. She criticised his responses as too general and said he was unable to provide satisfactory answers to some of her questions.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Ukrainian drone attacks targeting oil refineries and infrastructure are having an impact on the country’s economy.

Speaking at a meeting in Moscow, Putin maintained that Russia’s economic performance remained positive but admitted that external pressure and attacks on industrial and infrastructure facilities were causing economic damage.

The effects are becoming increasingly visible in the fuel sector. Petrol stations in Moscow and surrounding areas have reportedly introduced limits on fuel purchases amid shortages linked to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities.

Some major fuel retailers have reportedly restricted customers to between 30 and 50 litres per vehicle, while motorists have faced longer queues at filling stations.

The shortages are linked to Ukraine’s sustained campaign against Russian oil refineries, which has disrupted domestic fuel production and supplies. Reports indicate that fuel shortages began becoming more widespread in May and had expanded to several Russian regions by July.

The conflict is also creating tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom. Moscow has warned Britain of unspecified consequences following reports that British-made drones are being used in Ukrainian strikes against targets in Russia.

Security and defence expert Michael Clarke said Russia’s response was not unexpected, noting that Moscow has previously issued similar warnings over British military support for Ukraine.

He said Russia could potentially respond through cyberattacks, sabotage, intimidation or attempts to exploit political and social divisions, while avoiding direct military confrontation with NATO.

The developments highlight the growing political, military and economic pressures surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Kyiv facing internal political and corruption concerns while Moscow deals with the economic impact of Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure.