Kursk region to ration gasoline by license plate numbers from July 15; governor says it protects against Ukrainian strikes
Starting July 15, drivers in Russia's Kursk region can only refuel on days matching their license plate parity, a measure the governor claims will reduce queues and protect civilians from Ukrainian attacks.
Governor Alexander Khinshtein of Russia's Kursk region announced that from July 15, gasoline sales will be rationed based on the parity of vehicle license plates. Cars with plates starting with an even digit may refuel only on even-numbered days, while those with an odd digit may do so on odd-numbered days. The duration of the restrictions remains unclear.
Khinshtein stated that the measure is intended to cut lines at gas stations and protect civilians from Ukrainian strikes, adding that similar practices have proven effective in other regions.
Since the beginning of July, at least seven Russian regions and cities have introduced such parity-based rationing: Oryol, Nizhny Novgorod, Pskov, Lipetsk, and Kirov regions, as well as Mordovia and Astrakhan.
Russia's fuel crisis began in May, as Ukraine intensified its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, particularly refineries. Every one of Russia's ten largest refineries has been targeted. As a result, oil production, refining, and sales have declined. According to British analysts, July refining volumes fell to their lowest level since 2005.
The shortage has led to long queues at gas stations, and many Russian regions have already imposed limits on gasoline sales.
