Former Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation called the gasoline shortage beneficial
Gennady Onishchenko, Russia’s former chief sanitary doctor, stated that a gasoline shortage could have a positive effect on people’s health. In his view, if Russians use their cars less, the air in cities will become cleaner, and people will be more active.
These statements came amid a massive fuel crisis in Russia. Due to reduced gasoline production, many regions have already imposed restrictions on fuel sales.
Gennady Onishchenko, Russia’s former chief sanitary doctor and an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, urged Russians not to panic over the gasoline shortage and suggested looking at the situation from a different perspective. Speaking on the radio station “Govorit Moskva,” he stated that fewer cars on the roads could even have a positive impact on people’s health. “When it comes to Moscow, it makes much more sense to give up cars. Most people can easily and more comfortably take the metro, and save cars for trips outside the city,” Onishchenko said.
According to him, this would have two immediate benefits. “The air in Moscow will become cleaner because there will be fewer cars, and people will be more active,” he explained.
His remarks came amid a serious fuel crisis that has engulfed nearly all of Russia. According to Energy Intelligence, since March, Ukrainian drones have attacked Russian oil refining facilities at least 50 times. As a result, gasoline production has dropped significantly. According to Reuters, Russian refineries are currently producing about 85,000 metric tons of gasoline per day. This is approximately 25% less than during the same period last year. At the same time, summer fuel consumption in the country is estimated at approximately 110,000 metric tons per day.
It is this shortage that has led to restrictions on gasoline sales. According to The Insider’s estimates, various restrictions are already in place in 88 of the 89 regions controlled by Russia, including the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. The only region where such restrictions do not currently exist is Chukotka. In most regions, drivers are allowed to purchase only a specified amount of fuel. Most often, drivers are allowed to fill up with 20 to 40 liters of gasoline or up to 80 liters of diesel fuel per vehicle. Additionally, a number of regions have banned the sale of gasoline in jerry cans, and some gas stations have imposed additional limits.
Against this backdrop, Onishchenko’s remarks sparked lively discussion in the media and on social media. Some users interpreted his statement as an attempt to find a silver lining in the situation caused by the fuel shortage. At the same time, Russian authorities have not yet announced when exactly they will be able to fully stabilize the situation on the fuel market and lift restrictions on drivers, according to Russian media reports.
The fuel crisis is also intensifying in Russia: gasoline is running out at gas stations and lines are growing longer.
Russia has allowed lower-quality gasoline due to the fuel crisis.
