Russia restores gasoline sales restrictions after refinery strikes
Photo: A gas station in Russia (Getty Images)
Gas stations operated by Lukoil and Gazprom in Russia's Volgograd region have once again imposed limits on fuel sales following a drone attack on the region's largest oil refinery, The Moscow Times reports.
According to the regional Committee for Industrial Policy, Trade and the Fuel and Energy Complex, the restrictions were introduced due to a sharp increase in fuel demand.
Under the new rules, Lukoil and Gazprom gas stations can sell no more than 40 liters of gasoline per vehicle.
Lukoil has also introduced limits on diesel sales:
- up to 60 liters within the city;
- up to 200 liters at highway service stations.
Limits return just three days later
According to the outlet, the restrictions were reintroduced only three days after they had been lifted.
On July 28, local authorities said the fuel market had stabilized and that the limits were no longer necessary.
However, following the drone strike on the Volgograd region's largest oil refinery, fuel demand surged again, prompting authorities to restore the restrictions.
Several days ago, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed a successful strike on the Volgograd refinery. Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka is one of Russia's largest oil refineries.
Overnight, Ukrainian forces also struck the Saratov oil refinery, an oil depot, and the Engels airbase. A direct hit was confirmed, followed by a fire at the refinery complex.
