The fuel crisis in Russia is intensifying and taking a toll on the regions
The fuel situation in Russia is rapidly deteriorating: restrictions on the sale of gasoline and diesel are being imposed in a number of regions, and lines are forming at gas stations as early as overnight. Local authorities acknowledge the shortages but attribute them to rising demand. At the same time, the restrictions have already affected several regions across the country.
In Russia, the fuel shortage is gradually spreading to more and more regions, and the situation at gas stations is getting worse every day, forcing operators to impose new restrictions on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel. According to Russian media reports, major gas station chains have imposed limits on the amount of fuel sold to a single customer: no more than 30 liters of gasoline per vehicle and up to 60 liters of diesel fuel.
In the Tomsk region, local authorities reported shortages of several types of fuel in four districts—including Kolpashevsky, Asinovsky, Zyryansky, and Teguldetsky—attributing the situation to a sharp increase in demand.
The official position of the regional authorities is that the fuel shortage is allegedly linked to panic buying among the population, which has increased sales by approximately 15% in a short period of time. “The authorities stated that residents are to blame for the fuel shortage, as they rushed to gas stations and triggered increased demand,” Russian media reported, citing regional administrations.
In the Trans-Baikal Territory, the situation is even more severe: fuel distribution there has been cut to minimum levels—specifically, to 15 liters per vehicle—and a state of heightened readiness has been declared in the region. In most regions, kilometer-long lines are forming at gas stations, and drivers are forced to wait in line starting at night, with no guarantee that they will be able to fill up their cars.
At the federal level, the Russian government acknowledges the strain on the fuel market but denies that there is a crisis, claiming that there are sufficient reserves of gasoline and diesel.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak attributed the situation to a temporary surge in demand and the restructuring of logistics chains, noting that it will take time to stabilize the market. “We have enough fuel on the market. We are currently restructuring the system’s logistics networks to meet demand. It will take some time to balance the market,” Novak said.
At the same time, in the Russian public sphere, the situation is increasingly being attributed to panic buying, while independent assessments point to systemic problems in the fuel market, manifested through shortages and sales restrictions. This is reported by Russian media.
Earlier, the Russian presidential administration sent special “recommendations” to state-run and pro-government media outlets regarding how exactly to report on the fuel shortage in the country.
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