In annexed Crimea, fuel shortages began in late May due to drone attacks by Ukrainian forces on the Novorossiya route, which connects Rostov-on-Don and Simferopol through the occupied territories.
Soon, the authorities appointed by Russia introduced restrictions: AI-95 gasoline is allowed sold only on cards. You can buy AI-92 brand gasoline without a card, but no more than 20 liters per person.
At gas stations in the occupied Luhansk Oblast, restrictions have been introduced on the sale of AI-95, AI-92 gasoline and diesel fuel – no more than 20 liters per person. The reason was a significant increase in demand for gasoline, said the Russian-appointed authorities.
Fuel sales have also been restricted in Moscow and surrounding regions.
At ORTK network stations in the Moscow region, a maximum of 60 liters of gasoline and 100 liters of diesel oil are sold to one person. At Lukoil stations, one person can buy no more than 100 liters of gasoline, and at Gazprom stations – up to 150 liters.
Restrictions on the sale of gasoline also appeared at gas stations in St. Petersburg, writes Fontanka, citing local residents. Local service sources also point to logistical difficulties related to the delivery of gasoline.
Prohibitions and restrictions
Ryazan residents began reporting a shortage of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline in late May following a drone attack on Rosneft's local refinery. At the beginning of June, restrictions appeared at the company's stations in the Kursk, Belgorod and Pskov regions. Most often at local gas stations you can buy up to 20 liters of gasoline.
In Krasnoyarsk, at a Rosneft gas station, one of the residents heard it refusing to sell gasoline in a canister. Employees explained this due to the restrictions introduced on May 29. Residents of the neighboring Tomsk Oblast encountered similar bans.
Some gas stations in Karelia have also introduced temporary restrictions. The head of the regional Ministry of Industry and Trade, Svetlana Astakhova, explained this by the increased demand for fuel at the beginning of the summer holidays. Many gas stations in Murmansk Oblast have stopped selling gasoline.
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Residents of Shilovo in the Voronezh Oblast reported that they could not find gasoline at one of the local stations. The sale of fuel in canisters has been stopped in the Oryol Oblast. In the Novgorod region, residents wrote about restrictions on the consumption of gasoline up to 20 liters.
A blow to the fuel market
In the town of Palana in the Kamchatka Territory, limits of PLN 7,500 were introduced. l of gasoline and 3.5 thousand l of diesel fuel per month. During the day, no more than 100 liters of fuel can be filled into one tank. According to local authorities, this is necessary to ensure there is enough fuel to open the road.
Where did the gasoline deficit come from? In some regions, fuel shortages are associated with attacks by Ukrainian forces on refineries. According to conservative estimates, they are currently detained or working under restrictions in Russia refinery processing capacity with a total capacity of approximately 77 million tons per year. As calculated by Nowa Gazeta, this constitutes almost one third (29%) of all oil processing in the country.
For the market, this means a loss of approximately one quarter of the production of the main types of fuels: the disabled capacity accounted for approximately 26%. production of gasoline and approximately the same amount of diesel oil.
However, according to market participants, after the spring drone attacks, the Yaroslavl refinery and the Perm refinery increased processing. For now, however, it is unclear to what extent these additional volumes can compensate for the losses. Especially since the Volgograd refinery – one of the largest in Russia – was hit at the same time. The market doesn't yet have a full picture of how bad the damage is.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
