Kremlin bots have started accusing Russians of causing a fuel shortage
Pro-government bots have stepped up their activity amid the fuel crisis in Russia. Over the past week, they have posted more than 3,100 comments under posts on the social network VKontakte discussing the gasoline shortage.
This was reported by “Verstka,” citing data from the “Botnadzor” project.
Initially, the bots urged the public not to panic over fuel sales restrictions, calling them a temporary measure to keep prices in check. Some posts claimed that Vladimir Putin had already been tasked with resolving the issue.
Later, the rhetoric shifted, and the blame for the gasoline shortage began to be placed on the Russians themselves. Comments claimed that the problems were caused by mass purchases of fuel following reports of the crisis.
The bots also try to convince users that gasoline and diesel fuel reserves at oil depots allegedly remain substantial and that the situation is fully under state control.
Source: Verstka.
The fuel crisis in Russia is intensifying: gasoline is disappearing from gas stations and lines are growing.
Russia has allowed the use of lower-quality gasoline due to the fuel crisis.
