Fuel shortages after Ukrainian drone attacks push Russians to refuel in China
Gas station in Russia (photo: Getty Images)
Against the backdrop of Russia's fuel crisis, residents of the Trans-Baikal Territory have begun receiving offers to refuel their vehicles in China. Dozens of advertisements offering vehicle refueling in the neighboring country have appeared in chat groups across cities in the Trans-Baikal Territory, according to Ostorozhno Novosti.
In particular, residents of Zabaykalsk and Chita are being offered a service to transport their cars to Manzhouli, China, refuel them, and return them to their owners.
According to the advertisements, fuel prices range from 66 rubles (about $0.85) per liter of diesel (when paid in Chinese yuan) to 97 rubles (about $1.25) per liter of AI-95 gasoline.
It is also possible to fill fuel canisters with up to 10 liters, although there is no guarantee they will be allowed through Chinese customs.
Russian Telegram channels report that the Trans-Baikal Territory has been experiencing a severe fuel shortage since the end of June. A state of high alert is in effect in the region, gasoline sales to individuals are limited to 15 liters per day, and gas stations have multi-kilometer queues.
As part of efforts to address the fuel crisis, regional authorities planned to restrict the movement of all trucks except fuel tankers on regional roads and through the border crossing.
Zabaykalsk is one of the key routes for importing goods from China. However, these plans were canceled after the intervention of the federal authorities.
Context
Major fuel shortages in Russia began after large-scale strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Russian oil refineries deep behind the front lines. At the same time, Ukrainian drones are attacking Russian energy infrastructure at an unprecedented pace, the Financial Times wrote.
As of the end of June 2026, Ukrainian drones had successfully struck eight of Russia's ten largest oil refineries, significantly reducing the country's overall oil refining capacity.
