Parts of Russia are facing severe fuel shortages, with gas stations in several regions running dry after a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes on the country’s oil infrastructure. The disruption has left motorists waiting in long lines, while local authorities have introduced rationing measures or suspended fuel sales entirely.
The shortages are compounded by surging wholesale prices for A-95 gasoline on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange. Last week, prices hit record highs—roughly 50 percent higher than in January. The rise comes during peak demand, as farmers require fuel for the harvest season and many Russians set out on their final summer vacations.
Russian media report that shortages are especially acute in the Far East and the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. In the Primorye region, bordering North Korea, drivers have been met with long queues and prices of about 78 rubles per liter, equivalent to roughly $3.58 per gallon. The average monthly salary in the region is around $1,200, meaning fuel costs are straining household budgets. Local outlet Primpress also reported that some drivers were attempting to resell fuel online for as much as 220 rubles per liter, or about $10.12 per gallon.
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The situation is equally difficult in other parts of Russia. In the Kurilsky district of the Kuril Islands, located north of Japan, shortages of lower-octane A-92 gasoline forced officials to suspend sales to the public entirely on Monday. In Crimea, a popular resort destination, fuel sales have been restricted to holders of coupons or special cards, limiting access for ordinary motorists.
While Russia typically sees gasoline price increases toward the end of summer, this year’s shortages are more severe. Analysts say Ukraine’s targeted drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have inflicted greater damage than earlier in the conflict, reducing production capacity at a time of peak consumption. With the war now stretching into its third year, these disruptions highlight the vulnerability of Russia’s domestic energy supply despite its position as one of the world’s leading oil producers.