Gasoline shortages hits 16 regions across Russia, media reports
Photo: a gas station in Moscow (Getty Images)
Gasoline purchase restrictions spread to three more Russian regions over the past day as successful Ukrainian strikes on local oil refineries continue to disrupt fuel supplies, The Moscow Times reports.
Russia's fuel crisis resurfaces
In the Achinsk district of Russia's Krasnoyarsk region, which has a population of more than 110,000, 13 out of 47 gas stations are out of service, the outlet reported.
Several grades of gasoline are available at only 16 filling stations.
Local authorities also reported shortages of 294 metric tons of diesel fuel and 16.6 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline for agricultural producers.
In Bashkortostan, drones attacked one of the country's largest petrochemical complexes in Ufa several times in August. As a result, gas stations have introduced a temporary ban on the sale of gasoline in jerrycans and other containers.
Authorities said three districts in Bashkortostan are now in the "red zone" for fuel supplies:
- Baltachevsky,
- Iglinsky,
- Ilishevsky.
In Sterlitamak, seven of the city's 26 gas stations are not operating.
Fuel shortages were also confirmed by lawmakers in Russia's Saratov region.
Fuel shortages spread across regions
Lipetsk region Governor Igor Artamonov described the gasoline situation as tense, according to Ploshchad. He urged residents to support one another and, where possible, reduce travel.
Authorities in Sochi issued a similar appeal, recommending that residents and visitors switch from private vehicles to public transportation. According to local officials, gasoline is available at only about two-thirds of the city's gas stations.
Since the beginning of August, reports of fuel rationing or sales restrictions at gas stations have emerged in:
- Krasnodar and Primorsky regions,
- Kaluga region,
- Rostov region,
- Tambov region,
- Tula region,
- Saratov region,
- Penza region,
- Voronezh region,
- Ryazan region,
- Ulyanovsk region,
- Smolensk region.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that long lines had formed at gas stations in the Yelets district of Russia's Lipetsk region, while fuel had completely disappeared from many stations.
It was also reported that Russia is increasingly relying on "gray" schemes for refining petroleum products amid successful Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries and a growing nationwide fuel shortage.
In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been traveling across the country's regions during the election campaign. Ahead of his visits, large volumes of low-cost gasoline are reportedly being delivered despite the ongoing fuel crisis.
