Russia has announced it will stop exporting fuel until the end of the year as gas stations across the country and in areas it occupies are running low due to Ukrainian drone attacks.
According to CNN, Ukraine increased drone strikes on Russian refineries, pumping stations, and fuel trains over the summer to disrupt fuel supplies, a time when demand is usually high because of summer travel.
Russian officials first said the fuel shortages were caused by “logistical reasons” and promised that gasoline and diesel supplies would return, but the situation has gotten worse in recent weeks, a CNN report said,
The report further added that the Ukrainian Air Force said that it carried out attacks on several Russian fuel production sites and pumping stations this week, including a large Gazprom-run oil refinery in Bashkortostan, southern Russia.
Russia extends fuel export ban as shortages worsen across the country
To cope with the growing shortages, the Kremlin has repeatedly restricted exports. Moscow first blocked some gasoline exports in March and expanded the ban to all major producers in July.
The country’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Thursday announced that the export ban would continue until the end of the year, adding that some diesel exports would also be prohibited. Novak acknowledged a small shortage of fuel but said it was being managed with reserves.
Russia is one of the world’s largest diesel producers, and fuel exports are an important source of government revenue. Despite this, gas stations in several regions have started rationing gasoline and diesel, allowing each customer to buy only a limited amount, according to pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia.
Crimean worst hit
Crimea, the southern Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, seems to be the worst hit. Privately-owned Russian business outlet Kommersant reported that nearly half of the gas pumps in Crimea are out of service due to shortages.
The Russian-appointed governor of the region admitted that the shortfall is caused by reduced production at Russian refineries, though he did not mention that the ongoing war in Ukraine is the main reason.
Videos and images on social media show long lines of cars at the few stations that still have fuel. The Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported that Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, has completely run out of gasoline.
When two fuel tankers arrived at a station, cars queued immediately, and the supplies were gone within a few hours. Gasoline prices have risen by about a third compared to last month. The channel also noted, jokingly, that hay and prices for horses and donkeys remain stable for now.