Fuel shortages massively hit Russia, triggering long lines at gas stations
Russia faces empty price boards and closed gas stations amid the fuel crisis (photo: Getty Images)
Shortages, empty price boards across regions
The outlet reports that the fuel situation in the Russian Lipetsk region has become critical. In the city of Yelets, gasoline is unavailable at any gas station, leading to long lines of vehicles at the few Rosneft stations that are open.
Lipetsk region Governor Igor Artamonov confirmed disruptions to the supply of certain fuel grades and urged residents "not to buy gasoline for stockpiling," comparing the situation to panic buying of buckwheat.
A similar picture is being reported in other parts of Russia:
- Yaroslavl region: In Rybinsk, local residents say there is "no gasoline at all" in the city, and even diesel fuel has disappeared from Lukoil stations
- Stavropol Territory: In Georgiyevsk, AI-95 gasoline is unavailable at Gazprom Neft stations, while the Oktan chain has run out of fuel altogether, leaving price boards blank
- Tyumen and Cheboksary: Drivers are reporting widespread shortages of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline, while some Bashneft stations have been completely closed for several days.
In the Tver region, local authorities were forced to impose temporary limits on fuel sales to individuals at Surgutneftegas and Tatneft gas stations to ensure supplies for ambulances and public transportation.
Tries to conceal crisis in Moscow
Fuel problems have also reached the Russian capital. Amid reports of fuel shortages in Moscow, major pro-government channels attempted to push back against the claims.
They published a video by well-known automotive blogger Elena Lisovskaya, who claimed there were no lines at gas stations.
However, attentive viewers noticed that nearly all fuel pumps at the station shown in the video were blocked off with cones, while the price board displayed zeros instead of prices—a direct indication that gasoline was unavailable.
Fuel crisis in Russia
As previously reported, the fuel crisis in the Russian Federation and the territories it occupies is rapidly worsening amid successful Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refining infrastructure.
Earlier, strict fuel rationing measures were introduced across Russia, limiting gasoline and diesel sales at Tatneft gas stations to fixed amounts per customer. In particular, private vehicles were restricted to purchasing up to 30 liters of gasoline per visit.
In addition, on June 21, reports emerged that fuel sales at gas stations in occupied Crimea had been completely suspended for both individuals and businesses, with supplies now reserved exclusively for state security and essential services. At the same time, the peninsula experienced power outages, and ferry services were halted.
Meanwhile, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said gasoline shortages in Russia are intensifying, but the Kremlin is attempting to conceal the problem and reassure the public, even as fuel supply issues and rising prices have already been reported in St. Petersburg, Voronezh, and Tula.
