Russia Imposes Fuel Sale Restrictions in 15 Regions

At least 15 Russian regions imposed restrictions on fuel sales on June 23 amid a deepening fuel crisis triggered by a shortage of gasoline and diesel. The restrictions have even affected the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, Russia's main oil-producing region, which accounts for about 40% of the country's oil output. There, Gazpromneft and Lukoil gas stations are only selling fuel directly into vehicle tanks, limiting purchases to 40 liters of gasoline and 80 liters of diesel per person.

Similar limits and a ban on filling canisters have been introduced in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Saratov, Penza, Omsk, Voronezh, and Murmansk regions, as well as in the Krasnoyarsk Krai. Regional authorities say the measures are aimed at preventing "artificial shortages" and "panic demand." In the Irkutsk region, some gas stations have imposed restrictions, while others have completely shut down. Governor Igor Kobzev initially acknowledged in his Telegram channel that the shortage resulted from Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries, but later edited the post to remove that mention.

In the Vladimir region, residents have been urged to reduce car travel, while North Ossetia has ordered the creation of emergency fuel reserves. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak described the fuel situation as "difficult but controlled" during a government meeting with Vladimir Putin, calling the restrictions "periodic, understandable logistical problems."

In annexed Crimea, gasoline sales for private vehicles have effectively halted following an attack on a logistics hub in the Kerch Strait. Additionally, Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service has banned the sale of gasoline on online marketplaces. Since June, gasoline shortages have emerged in most Russian regions due to regular Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries. According to Reuters, Russia has lost about 25% of its gasoline production due to the strikes, and overall oil refining volumes have fallen to their lowest level in 21 years. In response to the fuel crisis, the Russian government is considering a full ban on diesel exports and subsidizing fuel imports. Occupation authorities in Crimea announced new restrictions: gasoline can only be purchased by representatives of the occupation administration.