Russia's Fuel Crisis: Officials Seek to Reassure, Shame, and Intimidate the Public
Since late May, Russia has faced a nationwide gasoline shortage, with long queues at gas stations and desperate measures like fuel theft. Officials blame panic buying, call for patience, and recall past crises to calm the population.
A fuel crisis that began in late May has spread across Russia, causing long lines at gas stations and prompting desperate measures among citizens. People are searching online for ways to produce their own gasoline and even siphoning fuel from parked cars. The authorities and state propaganda machine are promising a quick resolution while simultaneously shaming the public for "panic buying" and urging patience by recalling previous crises Russia has overcome.
Meduza has compiled a selection of statements from officials and propagandists on the issue. Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT, recalled that in 1992, her city Krasnodar had ration coupons for food and she personally had to fetch water with buckets. She insisted that just as they survived then, they will survive now, urging everyone to stay calm.
Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, asserted that the gasoline problem will be solved like all others, and warned that panic plays into the hands of the enemy. Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko claimed the situation is being artificially created and should not be dramatized.
Some statements were harsher. State Duma deputy Nikolai Arefyev predicted that unlimited fuel supply for private cars may never return. Marina Akhmedova, editor-in-chief of pro-Kremlin outlet Regnum, compared the current crisis to the hardships of World War II, stating that "victory depends on the human spirit" and that Russia is invincible.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak assured that there is enough fuel on the market. Igor Artamonov, governor of the Lipetsk region, urged against repeating the buckwheat panic of 2020 and 2022. Yevgeny Moskvichev, head of the State Duma's transport committee, called for patience, claiming fuel is available although lines are long.
Overall, the message from officials and propagandists is clear: the crisis is temporary, citizens must be patient, and panic only benefits Russia's enemies.
