Russia’s fuel crisis is back, with queues and gasoline rationing returning across the country

Key Points:

• A new wave of fuel shortages has hit at least 12 Russian regions, including Krasnodar Krai, Voronezh, and Primorsky Krai, with long lines at gas stations and purchase limits reinstated due to logistical disruptions following Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries.
• In the Orenburg region, authorities implemented a 30-liter fuel cap and an odd-even license plate refueling system starting August 12, while Lipetsk region introduced similar restrictions and purchase limits from August 13.
• Krasnoyarsk Krai and Bashkortostan are also facing gasoline shortages and gas station closures, with temporary price fluctuations observed in regions recently visited by President Vladimir Putin.
• In Novosibirsk, Putin’s motorcade stopped near an empty gas station with a turned-off price board, highlighting the ongoing supply issues, while Moscow and St. Petersburg have seen fewer reports, though some shortages of AI-95 gasoline were noted near Moscow.
• Local authorities in Sochi urged residents and tourists to avoid using personal vehicles to reduce fuel demand amid the crisis, reflecting the strain on fuel supplies across multiple regions.