uawire.org
Russian gas stations ration fuel as Ukrainian drone strikes cripple refineries
Gas stations across several Russian regions have imposed caps on gasoline sales—no more than 10–20 liters per customer - and some are selling only diesel. Analysts link the shortages to the fallout from Ukrainian strikes on fuel infrastructure.
Izvestia reports fuel disruptions in the Moscow, Leningrad, Ryazan and Nizhny Novgorod regions, among others.
Some station networks are allowing only limited volumes of gasoline.
Lukoil has banned fuel sales into canisters at certain locations and suspended service for fuel cards.
Several independent gas stations have temporarily shut down due to unprofitable procurement costs.
Pavel Bazhenov, president of the Independent Fuel Union, said shortages have persisted for more than a month: “Some networks were forced to set a limit of 10–20 liters per visitor or temporarily sell only diesel so they wouldn’t have to close.”
Nizhny Novgorod region governor Gleb Nikitin confirmed disruptions: “The recorded temporary difficulties with fuel are related to supply chains in the macro-region.”
According to Vladimir Chernov, an analyst at Freedom Finance Global, the causes include refinery maintenance and drone attacks on Russian infrastructure.
In early September, the price of Ai-95 gasoline on the St. Petersburg Exchange hit a record 82,300 rubles (40,778 hryvnias) per ton, surpassing previous highs.
Since July, Russia has temporarily restricted gasoline exports, and it is now weighing a diesel export ban through the end of 2025.
Experts say the exchange-trading model is pushing prices higher as demand significantly outstrips available volumes.
Analysts believe the government will be forced to tighten export curbs to avoid domestic shortages. Proposed steps include subsidies and preferential logistics for gas stations in remote regions, accelerating maintenance, and bringing new refinery capacity online.
In Russian-occupied Luhansk massive lines have formed at gas station networks, and gasoline has virtually disappeared.
In August in Crimea and Zabaykalsky Krai, Russians halted sales of 95-octane gasoline following strikes on refineries.
