- Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries have triggered a new wave of fuel crisis in Russia in early August.
- Residents in various regions are reporting lines at gas stations once again.
- Sochi has imposed fuel limits and asked residents and tourists to avoid personal vehicles.
- In the Orenburg Region, purchases have been capped and an odd-even system was adopted starting August 12.
- The Lipetsk region reinstated odd-even refueling effective August 13.
- Krasnoyarsk and Bashkortostan are experiencing gasoline shortages and closures of some gas stations.
- Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak held a meeting on August 11 to coordinate fuel supply efforts.
- Gas stations in at least 12 Russian regions are reporting hours-long lines for fuel.
- The regions affected include Krasnodar Krai, Voronezh, Kaluga, Rostov, Ryazan, Tambov, Tula, Saratov, Smolensk, Penza, Ulyanovsk, and Primorsky Krai.
- Governor Yevgeny Solntsev of Orenburg described the situation as difficult regarding fuel availability.
- Prices at some gas stations in Krasnoyarsk sharply dropped before Putin's visit but returned to previous levels afterward.
- Few reports have surfaced from Moscow and St. Petersburg regarding fuel shortages.
Russia is grappling with a significant fuel crisis as Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries have led to widespread shortages. Reports indicate that residents in at least 12 regions, including Krasnodar Krai and Orenburg, are facing hours-long queues at gas stations.189
In response to the crisis, authorities have reinstated fuel purchase limits and an odd-even refueling system. Starting August 12, Orenburg's gas stations capped purchases at 30 liters (about 8 gallons) of gasoline and 60 liters (about 16 gallons) of diesel. Governor Yevgeny Solntsev acknowledged a difficult situation with fuel and promised police presence to manage the chaos at gas stations.510
The Sochi city administration has also requested residents and tourists to refrain from using personal vehicles to ease the strain on fuel supplies. “Due to logistical disruptions in fuel supply,” the administration stated, limits have been imposed on fuel purchases.37
In Krasnoyarsk Krai, gasoline prices surged by 24 rubles per liter just before President Putin's visit, only to return to normal afterward, raising questions about the manipulation of prices during high-profile events. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak convened a meeting on August 11 to address the crisis, instructing relevant agencies to ensure “uninterrupted delivery” of gasoline to consumers.611
As the situation unfolds, the impact of the fuel crisis is being felt across the nation, with reports of shortages even in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.12
“At least 12 regions report hours-long lines, with Orenburg capping purchases at 30 liters of gasoline and 60 liters of diesel under an odd-even system. Sochi's administration asked residents and tourists to refrain from using personal vehicles due to logistical disruptions.”
