Russia's Fuel Crisis
Fuel shortages in Russia have escalated into a nationwide emergency. Restrictions on gasoline sales for private vehicles are now in place across 53 regions of Russia, including occupied areas of Ukraine such as Crimea, Sevastopol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. In 18 of these regions, drivers are limited to no more than 50 liters or a single full tank of gasoline, while 11 other regions face fuel scarcity without formal per-vehicle limits.
Fuel Sales Restrictions
Major Russian oil companies, including Rosneft, Bashneft, and TNK, have banned the sale of gasoline in canisters at all their filling stations nationwide. Rosneft has also imposed a 90-liter cap per vehicle. Tatneft introduced similar limits after a drone attack on its Taneco refinery in Nizhnekamsk on the night of June 12, which completely halted operations at the facility. Tatneft's restrictions now apply to regions such as:
- Tatarstan
- Udmurtia
- Moscow
- St. Petersburg
- Orenburg Oblast
- Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
- Voronezh Oblast
- Samara Oblast
The primary cause of this crisis is systematic drone strikes on oil refining infrastructure. According to Reuters, by late May, nearly all major refineries in central Russia had either reduced output or shut down entirely. On June 16, drones struck Moscow's largest refinery in the Kapotnya district. As of June 10, at least 25 regions were already reporting fuel shortages. Russia has lost about one-third of its refining capacity, as drones hit 16 plants in May alone—including eight of the ten largest facilities.
In response, the Russian government has allowed some refineries to supply the domestic market with gasoline and diesel below the Euro-5 standard. Fuel meeting the Euro-3 standard—with sulfur content up to 350 milligrams per kilogram—is now permitted, compared to just 10 milligrams per kilogram in Euro-5 fuel.
Refueling is only allowed directly into the vehicle's tank. — Rosneft hotline operator
This fuel crisis is having a major economic and social impact in Russia. Restrictions on fuel use are likely to reduce public mobility and slow down economic activity across the country. With ongoing strikes targeting refining infrastructure, the situation could deteriorate further, forcing the government to find new ways to stabilize the fuel market. These dire conditions may also affect pricing strategies and energy imports, with potential ripple effects throughout the broader economy.
The ongoing fuel crisis is not only affecting the regions mentioned but has also led to fuel rationing measures in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. These limitations are a direct response to the decreased refining capacity and highlight the broader implications of the strikes on oil infrastructure across the country.