Long lines hit Russian gas stations as drivers wait for hours, reports say
Russia’s Lipetsk region faces long lines at gas stations (photo: Getty Images)
Huge lines for fuel have formed at gas stations in Russia's Yelets district in the Lipetsk region, while fuel has disappeared entirely from many stations. The shortages come amid claims by local authorities that the situation is supposedly stabilizing, Astra reports.
Fuel shortages, long lines
According to the outlet, local residents say huge lines of cars have formed at Rosneft gas stations.
At the same time, fuel is completely unavailable at most other gas stations in the region.
What local authorities say
The lines are forming against the backdrop of optimistic statements from regional authorities.
Huge lines for #fuel have formed at gas stations in #Russia's Yelets district in the #Lipetsk region, while fuel has disappeared entirely from many stations.
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) August 9, 2026
The lines are forming against the backdrop of optimistic statements from regional authorities.
Earlier, #Lipetsk Region… pic.twitter.com/76GbhGyW69
Earlier, Lipetsk Region Governor Igor Artamonov claimed that fuel supplies had supposedly become more stable and that lines at gas stations had shortened.
As a result, local authorities even lifted previously imposed restrictions on refueling cars based on license plate numbers ending in an even or odd digit.
However, the actual situation at gas stations indicates that a severe fuel shortage persists.
Fuel crisis in Russia
As previously reported, the Russian Federation has been forced to turn to "gray" fuel-processing schemes amid ongoing disruptions in oil refining and a systemic fuel shortage. According to Ukrainian intelligence, these measures are the result of effective strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Due to shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel, Russia, which previously actively exported energy resources, has found itself in a critical situation and is being forced to seek sources for fuel imports. Against the backdrop of these problems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply mocked Russia's fuel collapse.
