Fuel shortages in Crimea may last longer than expected, local authorities say
Crimea's Moscow-installed leader acknowledges problems on the occupied peninsula (photo: Getty Images)
Despite Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's promises that fuel shortages in occupied Crimea would soon be resolved, the local authorities have acknowledged that the problems cannot be fixed quickly, according to Crimea's Moscow-installed leader, Sergey Aksyonov.
Putin's promises did not come true
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was experiencing a certain shortage, but not a critical one, and that fuel supplies to Crimea would soon be increased both by land and by sea. However, Crimea's Moscow-installed leader, Sergey Aksyonov, effectively contradicted those statements.
Aksyonov acknowledged that large volumes of fuel will not appear on the peninsula anytime soon.
"I ask everyone to be patient," the Moscow-installed leader wrote.
Electricity is being distributed unfairly
Another problem is electricity. Aksyonov admitted that he has been receiving complaints from residents about the unfair distribution of electricity across the peninsula.
According to him, there are two reasons:
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Countering Ukrainian attacks;
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The technical condition of certain substations.
To address the situation, additional teams of municipal workers have been formed.
"Within the next few days, we will try to normalize the situation," the Moscow-installed leader assured.
The Moscow-installed leader admitted that he receives daily reports from residents about public transport routes that have failed to operate.
According to Putin, Crimea's monthly fuel demand amounts to 70,000 tons, while current reserves are sufficient for only a few days.
Meanwhile, the fuel crisis is already affecting the labor market on the occupied peninsula.
Crimean residents are reporting widespread salary delays and forced layoffs, while business owners are complaining about downtime and a lack of funds to pay employees and taxes.
At the same time, Russia is also facing a fuel crisis. Fuel prices in Russia have reached a 20-year record.
