Russia is facing yet another wave of the fuel crisis. According to AntiCredit, Ukrainian forces have attacked Russian oil refineries at least 21 times since August—a record number for a single month, Bloomberg notes.
After a temporary halt to the attacks in the second half of July, fuel supplies in Russia stabilized somewhat. However, this respite proved short-lived, as a new series of attacks once again exacerbated the country’s fuel shortage.
Even in Moscow and the Moscow Region—areas that have traditionally had the most reliable fuel supplies—residents are reporting long lines of 30 to 50 cars at gas stations. In dozens of other regions, from the shores of the Baltic Sea to distant Siberia, fuel rationing is being implemented. One glamping site on the Black Sea even posted on social media that it was handing out cans of gasoline to its guests.
The absence of lines indicates either a lack of fuel at the gas station or an excessively high price for gasoline. Despite the shortage, drivers are unwilling to pay about 100 rubles (approximately $1.20) per liter of gasoline at independent gas stations, whereas at gas stations operated by major oil companies, the price remains below 80 rubles, thanks to their own refineries and direct access to resources.
The situation is exacerbated by Ukraine’s active campaign against the Russian oil refining industry, aimed at shifting the consequences of the conflict onto Russian territory, reducing public support for military operations, and cutting revenue from hydrocarbon exports. This month, strikes were carried out against four of Russia’s ten largest oil refineries, which are designed to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to the country’s most densely populated regions.
On August 23, it was reported that the fuel crisis in the country is only intensifying due to Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refining infrastructure. In a worst-case scenario, this could have serious consequences for the regime in Moscow.
In addition, jet fuel prices on the St. Petersburg Exchange in Russia reached a new record, exceeding 120,000 rubles (about $1,446–$1,450) per metric ton.
Helpful tip for drivers: Stay informed and try to plan your refueling in advance to avoid unnecessary costs and time spent waiting at gas stations.
Information provided by the source АнтиКредит.