Moscow
Russia's capital; seat of Kremlin power directing the war and managing fiscal pressure.
Last refreshed: 1 April 2026
With refineries shutting and funds draining, how long can Moscow sustain the war?
Latest on Moscow
- What is happening in Moscow in the Ukraine war context?
- Moscow is the seat of the Kremlin's war direction. In late March 2026 it rejected Ceasefire proposals, imposed a gasoline export ban after refinery shutdowns, and faced ongoing fiscal drain.Source:
- Did Moscow refineries shut down in 2026?
- Yes. Three Moscow-area refineries faced cascade shutdowns in late March 2026 following Ukrainian strikes on Ust-Luga, contributing to Russia's gasoline export ban effective 1 April.Source: Russian government
- Why did Russia ban gasoline exports in April 2026?
- Russia imposed a gasoline export ban from 1 April through 31 July 2026 after Ust-Luga halted all fuel intake and three refineries including Moscow-area facilities faced cascade shutdowns.Source: Russian government
- What is Russia's National Wealth Fund status in 2026?
- Russia's National Wealth Fund shed 400 billion roubles ($4.8 billion) in January and February 2026, with Russia's business climate index at its weakest since the 2022 invasion.Source: Russian Finance Ministry data
Background
Moscow is Russia's capital and the seat of federal power from which the war in Ukraine is directed. In late March 2026, the Kremlin became the focal point of two interconnected crises: a domestic energy emergency triggered by Ukrainian drone strikes on Baltic oil terminals, and growing Ceasefire pressure from US intermediaries. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected Zelenskyy's Easter Ceasefire proposal on 31 March 2026, saying 'We don't see any clearly articulated initiative', while claiming Russian forces are 'advancing across the entire front line'.
Russia imposed a gasoline export ban effective 1 April through 31 July 2026 after three Moscow-area refineries — including one in Moscow itself — faced cascade shutdowns following strikes on the Ust-Luga terminal. Russia's National Wealth Fund shed 400 billion roubles ($4.8 billion) in January-February 2026 alone, and the business climate index fell to its weakest reading since the 2022 invasion.
Moscow has a population of roughly 13 million and accounts for around 20% of Russian GDP. The city functions simultaneously as a command node for the war and as Russia's primary economic and political pressure point. The Kremlin's rejection of Ceasefire terms while managing domestic energy disruption and fiscal drain reflects the contradictions at the heart of Russia's war posture.
