Gasoline restrictions in Russia due to the fuel crisis have taken effect in 53 regions
In Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the fuel crisis is rapidly worsening—restrictions on gasoline sales for private vehicles have already been imposed in 53 regions.
In a number of regions, drivers are allowed to purchase no more than 50 liters of fuel or one full tank; similar limits are in effect in Crimea, Sevastopol, the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as in the so-called “DPR” and “LPR.”
In 11 other regions, fuel shortages are being reported at gas stations without any formal restrictions.
According to Reuters, the main factor behind the crisis has been systematic strikes by Ukrainian drones on oil refining infrastructure, which have caused major refineries in central Russia to reduce or halt operations.
In particular, on the night of June 12, the Taneco plant in Nizhnekamsk was attacked, after which it completely halted operations. Starting June 16, restrictions were imposed at Tatneft gas stations, and Rosneft, Bashneft, and TNK were banned from selling gasoline in jerry cans.
Analysts at Energy Intelligence estimate that in the first half of June, oil refining in Russia fell below 4 million barrels per day—a 21-year low— and approximately one-third of refinery capacity (2.14 million barrels per day) is idle.
“Ukraine’s campaign against the Russian energy sector has caused massive damage, pushing the country toward the worst fuel crisis in its history,” writes Energy Intelligence.
Amid the shortage, wholesale prices have risen sharply:
- AI-92 gasoline — up 30% since the start of the year
- AI-95 gasoline — +33%
- diesel — +40%, to a record 75,9 thousand rubles per metric ton
Trade in jet fuel has nearly ground to a halt, and over-the-counter prices have reached a historic high of 113,000 rubles per metric ton.
The Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation has already opened an investigation into several traders suspected of cartel schemes and artificially inflating prices.
“A full-scale fuel crisis is beginning to take shape in Russia. The peak of seasonal demand traditionally falls in August–September, but signs of a shortage appeared as early as June. If the situation does not stabilize, fuel prices could become a key driver of inflation in the second half of the year,” said Yaroslav Kabakov, a strategist at Finam.
This was reported by The Moscow Times.
Following a sharp rise in fuel prices in the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Moscow-controlled authorities announced the introduction of fixed prices for gasoline and diesel.
In the temporarily occupied Crimea, fuel problems could escalate into a much more serious crisis. Due to logistical difficulties on the peninsula, prices have already begun to rise, lines are forming, and residents are increasingly stocking up on essential goods.
The shortage of automotive fuel, which was previously observed in the temporarily occupied Crimea, has begun to spread to the southern regions of the Russian Federation. Residents of the Krasnodar Krai and the Rostov Oblast are reporting shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel.
