Blackout and fuel crisis hit Sevastopol as shops and markets shut down
The fuel crisis caused an increase in prices for building materials (Photo: Getty Images)
In Sevastopol, due to problems with electricity and fuel, some shops and markets have closed, public transport has stopped running, and prices have risen, according to the Telegram channel of the edition Agency.
According to local residents, due to power outages and gasoline shortages, supplies have been disrupted; some sellers cannot get to work; communications are poor; and people are getting to work on foot or by bicycle.
"There has been no electricity for a full day, so half the shops aren't working and neither are the markets. The problem isn't just the lack of electricity, because of the lack of gasoline at gas stations, sellers can't get there. We live under siege," said one of the interlocutors.
Another resident spoke about the rise in food prices. He said that potatoes at the market cost 50 rubles per kilogram, a week ago they cost 100, and on Thursday, June 25, they were already 150.
Another resident of Sevastopol said that food prices have risen, but not critically. According to him, there are products, but people are just sweeping them off the shelves. In particular, a resident of Balaklava (part of Sevastopol) complained that the shelves in his area are empty.
In addition, the cost of building materials has increased. If at the end of May, building mixtures cost 400 rubles per bag, then by the beginning of June, they cost over 700 rubles per bag. At the same time, due to the fuel shortage, it is impossible to deliver materials to the city even at these prices.
"We decided to stop our business and go out of town to friends – there is a river and a forest there, at least there will be fresh water and firewood. So, we will have an unplanned vacation for a couple of weeks," said the interlocutor.
In addition, people from other settlements in occupied Crimea are complaining about hours-long power outages and closed shops, pharmacies, and ATMs.
Blackout and queues to leave Crimea
On June 25, the lights were turned off in Sevastopol without a schedule or any warning for residents. The so-called governor of the city, Mikhail Razvozhaev, wrote that the restrictions were introduced allegedly due to the load on the power grids outside the region.
On Wednesday, June 24, the Planet Labs satellite recorded a huge accumulation of cars heading toward the Crimean Bridge. The queue stretched for approximately 10 kilometers.
