Crimea stores ration sugar and flour as shelves begin to empty
Panic buying only worsens product shortages (Photo: Getty Images)
In occupied Crimea, food shortages are being reported with increasing frequency. Sugar, cereals, flour, salt, and pasta are disappearing from store shelves, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation.
What is happening
Local residents report empty shelves in stores. Some retail chains have already introduced limits on the sale of goods per person, which only increases panic among the population.
Causes of the crisis
The problem has several components. First, increased demand due to the large number of migrants and military personnel brought in by Russia. Second, serious logistical difficulties:
- The Crimean Bridge no longer copes with its role as the main transport artery;
- Sea routes are under constant threat;
- Land routes through occupied territories regularly fall within range of Ukrainian drones.
Russian authorities remain silent
Despite the obvious problems, the Russian administration avoids any public explanations and continues to pretend that everything is stable.
Russia has already acknowledged temporary difficulties with fuel supplies in the south of the country and in occupied Crimea due to Ukrainian drone strikes, and has set up a separate industry task force to address the situation.
In occupied Crimea, due to regular strikes on oil depots, strict restrictions and gasoline coupons have been introduced. On June 7, defense forces struck two of the peninsula's largest oil depots and an FSB facility.
