Russia imposes fuel sale restrictions in 15 regions amid deficit from drone strikes

At least 15 Russian regions imposed restrictions on fuel sales on June 23 amid a fuel crisis driven by shortages of gasoline and diesel, according to the Russian service of Radio Free Europe. The restrictions have even affected the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia's main oil-producing region, which accounts for about 40% of all Russian oil. There, at Gazprom Neft and Lukoil gas stations, fuel is sold only into vehicle tanks, with a limit of up 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 the Krasnoyarsk Krai. Regional authorities explain these measures as actions to "prevent artificial shortages" and "speculative demand." In the Irkutsk region, some gas stations have imposed restrictions, while others have completely stopped operations. The region's governor, Igor Kobzev, initially acknowledged in his Telegram channel that the deficit was due to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refining facilities, but later edited the post and removed that reference.

In the Vladimir region, residents were urged to reduce car trips, and in North Ossetia, authorities were directed to form an emergency fuel reserve. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, during a government meeting with Vladimir Putin, described the fuel situation as "difficult but manageable." He called the regional fuel sale restrictions "periodic, understandable logistical problems."

In annexed Crimea, gasoline sales for private vehicles have effectively been halted following an attack on a logistics hub in the Kerch Strait. Additionally, Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service banned gasoline trading on marketplaces. The occupation authorities announced a new restriction in Crimea, allowing only occupation officials to purchase gasoline.

In June, a gasoline deficit began in most Russian regions due to regular Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries. According to Reuters estimates, Russia lost about 25% of its gasoline production due to the strikes, and overall oil refining volumes in the country fell to the lowest level in 21 years. Amid the fuel crisis, the Russian government is considering implementing a complete ban on diesel exports and subsidizing fuel imports.