Fuel shortages trigger panic in occupied Sevastopol: Authorities limit fuel sales
Illustrative photo: Russia has restricted gasoline sales in Sevastopol (Getty Images)
Fuel shortages have hit occupied Sevastopol since the evening of May 21. The authorities have limited gasoline sales to 20 liters per vehicle, queues have formed at gas stations, and prices have surpassed 100 rubles per liter, according to Russian Telegram channels and a statement by the occupation administration of Sevastopol.
Pavel Ieno, the deputy head of the occupation administration of the city, announced restrictions on fuel sales — no more than 20 liters per canister or vehicle.
The official explanation was an attempt to combat "panic buying." Unofficially, however, the official hinted at the real reason himself, "There are certain logistical difficulties, the cause of which, I believe, is known to everyone."
The Telegram channel ChP Sevastopol documented the situation at gas stations operated by the ATAN and TES chains: display boards either showed dashes instead of certain fuel types or prices that sharply stood out from the usual rates.
"Prices are skyrocketing. Premium gasoline has surpassed 100 rubles," the channel’s authors stated.
The occupation head of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, tried to reassure residents, stating that AI-92, AI-95, and diesel fuel are available in the city, but "not at all gas stations." Diesel fuel is available only via coupons. New deliveries were announced for the evening of May 22.
The fuel crisis in Russia is systemic in nature and is deepening under Ukrainian drone strikes.
On May 18, Ukraine’s Defense Forces attacked the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery in Kstovo, and by May 20, the plant had shut down half of its capacity — including a primary processing unit that accounts for 53% of the facility’s output.
NORSI is the second-largest gasoline producer in Russia.
Separately, on the night of May 21, the Syzran oil refinery caught fire following a drone strike — more than 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
