Second wave of fuel shortages hits gas stations across Russia
Photo: gas station in Russia (Getty Images)
Acute fuel shortages have reemerged across many Russian regions. Authorities in at least 10 regions have tightened controls on gasoline sales at filling stations, Reuters informs.
In some districts of the Moscow region, gasoline has once again completely disappeared from certain filling stations, although diesel fuel remains available almost everywhere.
Russia's government also acknowledged fuel supply problems at filling stations during a meeting on the energy sector. Gasoline shortages and new sales restrictions have been reported in the following regions:
- Moscow, Orenburg, Lipetsk, Tver and Oryol regions;
- Krasnodar, Zabaykalsky, Primorsky and Krasnoyarsk territories;
- The republics of Tuva and Khakassia.
In addition, since the beginning of August, gasoline sales on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange have fallen by an average of 20% compared with the second half of July.
Causes of the new wave of the crisis
Although the situation temporarily stabilized by the end of July, new attacks on Russian oil refining facilities have once again aggravated the shortage. Another factor has been the seasonal increase in domestic fuel demand.
Russia's fuel crisis began gaining momentum in May and had spread to almost all regions of the country by July. It was triggered by the shutdown of several oil refineries following successful Ukrainian drone strikes.
To stabilize the market, Russian authorities imposed export bans on gasoline and diesel, lowered fuel quality requirements, and began importing petroleum products.
In recent months, Ukrainian drones have put up to 40% of Russia's oil refining capacity out of operation, leaving about one-third of the country facing fuel shortages.
Russia has also begun redirecting gasoline from Belarus that was originally intended for Central Asian countries. However, even record supply volumes have not been enough to fully offset the fuel deficit.
In addition, amid successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and acute gasoline shortages, Russia has increasingly turned to "gray" refining schemes for petroleum products.
