In Russia - a new wave of fuel crisis

Russia has been hit by a new wave of fuel shortages since Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries in August. Residents from the southern regions of the country to Primorye have complained of long lines at gas stations. In the Orenburg region and Sochi, fuel-handling limits have been reinstated. The Sochi administration is even asking locals and tourists to avoid private transport.

According to Meduza, long lines for fuel are being observed in at least 12 regions, including Krasnodar Krai, Voronezh, Kaluga, Rostov, Ryazan, Tambov, Tula, Saratov, Smolensk, Penza and Ulyanovsk regions, as well as Primorye.

The Sochi administration announced on August 11 that limits had been imposed on cars at gas stations due to "logistical disruptions in deliveries." In addition, residents and tourists were asked to "refrain from traveling by personal transport as much as possible" in order to reduce the load on gas stations.

Orenburg Region Governor Yevgeny Solntsev also confirmed the "complexity of the fuel situation" in the region. Starting from August 12, limits (no more than 30 liters of gasoline and 60 liters of diesel) and an "odd-even" system were introduced at all gas stations in the region. According to this system, those with license plates ending in even digits must refuel on even days, and the rest on odd days. Solntsev announced that police officers would also be involved "to coordinate the situation at gas stations for cars."

In addition, complaints are coming from Krasnoyarsk Krai and Bashkortostan about gasoline shortages and the closure of some gas stations. Price increases have also been noted, especially in regions visited by Vladimir Putin (prices had fallen before the visit).

In Krasnoyarsk, the day before Putin's visit, gasoline prices at some gas stations dropped sharply (by 24 rubles per liter). Gas station workers explained this by "temporary improvements in logistics" and "additional fuel arriving directly from oil refineries." However, after the president left, prices returned to their previous levels.

In Novosibirsk, Putin's next destination, his motorcade stopped near an empty gas station. Here, the president chatted with children waiting for him. This footage, taken by Kremlin-funded correspondent Pavel Zarubin, was distributed in many publications. The price signs at the gas stations were turned off in this footage.

So far, there have been almost no complaints from Moscow and St. Petersburg on this issue. However, a listener of "Business FM" reported that several Rosneft gas stations along Dmitrovsky highway were out of AI-95 gasoline.

Officials have not officially reported on the new wave of the crisis. Deputy Prime Minister for the fuel sector Alexander Novak held a meeting on the situation in the domestic market on August 11. Following the meeting, relevant departments, regional authorities and oil companies were instructed to "continue the agreed work on fuel supply to the domestic market", monitor price dynamics and guarantee "uninterrupted supply" of gasoline to consumers.