Gasoline crisis in Russia: 3 more regions impose restrictions on fuel sales
Illustrative photo: three more regions in Russia have introduced restrictions on fuel sales (Getty Images)
Russia’s gasoline crisis is intensifying following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries. Due to fuel supply disruptions, several regions have introduced restrictions on gasoline sales, according to The Moscow Times.
According to the outlet, new rules came into effect on October 21 at the gas stations of the Baikal Regional Company (BRC) in Irkutsk Oblast, Buryatia, and Zabaykalsky Krai: drivers are allowed to buy no more than 20 liters of AI-92 gasoline "per person."
The company explained that the limits were introduced indefinitely due to disruptions in fuel deliveries from the main suppliers — Rosneft and Gazprom. The restrictions affected Irkutsk, Angarsk, Ulan-Ude, and several districts of Buryatia.
"On Saturday, I couldn’t find any 95-grade fuel. Nowhere. I had to fill 100-grade. And for 92-grade, there was a huge line; I couldn’t get through," said a resident of Angarsk.
Similar limits have been set at Kors network gas stations in Chita and Zabaykalsky Krai. In addition, fuel shortages have been reported in Krasnoyarsk. Local journalist Dmitriy Polushyn noted that queues are forming at Gazpromneft stations, and the price of AI-92 gasoline has reached 58 rubles per liter.
"At the cashier, they said, 'You’re lucky, you’re the last one to get 92-grade fuel. The rest are just turned away,'" he said.
According to the outlet, gasoline shortages have now been recorded in at least 57 regions of Russia. The International Energy Agency estimates that due to Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on Russian refineries, crude oil processing volumes have fallen by about 10% — down to 5 million barrels per day.
Ukraine targets Russian refineries
The intensification of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries has become the main cause of the fuel crisis in Russia. Since the beginning of October, Ukrainian drones have struck refineries at least four times, putting them out of operation. In September, there were eight such attacks, and in August — fourteen.
As a result, from August to the end of September, at least ten Russian refineries were forced to partially or completely halt operations. Overall, Russia has lost about 10% of its crude oil processing capacity.
Amid the fuel shortage, over 360 gas stations across the country stopped operating in August and September. According to Russian media estimates, one in every 50 gas stations currently does not sell gasoline at all.
Due to the critical supply situation, the Russian government has extended the ban on gasoline exports until the end of October in an attempt to stabilize the domestic market.
