Restrictions on fuel sales in the Russian Federation continue to spread: Russia's main oil region has imposed them

The fuel crisis in Russia as a result of drone strikes on oil infrastructure continues to worsen, with more and more Russian regions imposing restrictions on fuel sales, reports the Moscow Times, writes UNN.

Details

Restrictions on gasoline sales have been introduced in the country's main oil-producing region, which produces 40% of all Russian oil - the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug (KhMAO), local residents told the publication "Govorit Nemoskva". In particular, Gazprom Neft gas stations have begun to sell no more than 40 liters of gasoline and 80 liters of diesel fuel "per person". Moreover, fuel can only be filled into the vehicle's tank and on a prepaid basis. Similar restrictions, according to an employee of one gas station, were introduced on the night of June 23.

The same restrictions were introduced in the oil workers' city of Strezhevoy in the neighboring Tomsk region. "These limits and restrictions are more aimed at protecting us from the removal of fuel from Strezhevoy gas stations to other regions in barrels and other large containers," explained the head of the city, Valery Denichenko. Drivers from Tyumen, which is the oil and gas capital of Russia, also reported limits at Gazprom Neft gas stations.

The head of the Novosibirsk region, Andrei Travnikov, said on the morning of June 23 that fuel sales in the region would have to be limited because limits on gasoline and diesel had been introduced in neighboring regions. According to him, he instructed the regional Ministry of Industry and Trade "to conduct negotiations with the owners of gas station networks to develop a unified position on this issue within a day."

In the Penza region, temporary restrictions on the sale of motor fuel are also being introduced from June 23. "This is necessary to maintain a stable situation on the domestic fuel and energy market," Governor Oleg Melnichenko reported on his Telegram channel.

The day before, authorities in six Russian regions reported restrictions on fuel sales at gas stations: Omsk in Siberia, Irkutsk, Saratov, Voronezh, Tambov, and Amur regions. In total, limits have already been introduced in more than 50 regions.

Some restrictions, according to media reports, were introduced in the Tver and Kirov regions. Tatneft, after the attack on the refinery in Kazan, introduced restrictions, including at gas stations in Moscow.

According to an estimate by Energy Intelligence, as a result of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries, oil refining volumes in Russia at the beginning of June fell below 4 million barrels per day - the lowest level in 21 years. At the same time, almost a third of Russian refinery capacity was idle — 2.14 million barrels per day. "Ukraine's campaign against the Russian energy sector has caused massive damage, as a result of which the country is moving towards the worst fuel crisis in its history," Energy Intelligence analysts emphasized.

In temporarily occupied Crimea, on Sunday morning after drone attacks, gasoline sales to private individuals were completely stopped.

As noted by the Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, against the backdrop of the attacks, the occupation "administration" introduced restrictions from June 22: it reduced the operation of public transport, retail and catering establishments, canceled mass events, and suspended ferry service. Separately, in Sevastopol, fuel sales were restricted for June 22–23 – it is available only for "services that ensure the city's vital functions."

Let us add

Russia was attacked by drones, in particular on the night of June 18. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strikes on the Moscow refinery and in the Rostov region. He thanked the military of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the strikes deep into Russian territory, which were carried out by modernized FP-1 drones manufactured by the Ukrainian company Fire Point, and stated that the long-range sanctions plan is being implemented.

Footage has appeared online of Ukrainian FP-1 drones over the Russian capital, which the Pantsir system is unsuccessfully trying to shoot down. This is the second strike on the Moscow refinery.

Prior to this, on June 16, in the Moscow region and Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation, attacks by UAVs on oil facilities were recorded. Footage was also posted online showing an FP-1 strike drone maneuvering in the sky over Moscow, created by the company Fire Point for deep strikes on enemy territory. Analysts point out that the affected refinery is located approximately 15 kilometers from the Kremlin.

Also in the Russian Federation, they recently reported on a drone attack on the Tyumen Refinery (formerly the Antipinsky Refinery). Ukrainian drones also struck the infrastructure of the seaport "Kavkaz" in the Krasnodar Krai - the tank farm of the oil product transshipment complex and the territory of the oil depot were hit.