Fuel Shortage Hits Crimea and Other Regions
The Russian-installed administration in Sevastopol has announced a ban on the open sale of gasoline at filling stations operated by the TES and ATAN networks. Fuel will now be reserved exclusively for emergency and rescue services. Coupon holders will be limited to receiving no more than 20 liters of fuel per person. This measure comes in response to a supply crisis triggered by attacks from the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Russian oil infrastructure.
Since the start of 2026, Ukrainian strikes have hit 15 Russian oil refineries, knocking out nearly 40% of the country's primary oil processing capacity. Ukrainian forces have also been targeting fuel tankers on the R-280 Novorossiya highway, further worsening the fuel situation. It is worth noting that no fuel has been transported across the Kerch Bridge since 2022, and starting May 31, 2026, Crimea imposed fuel sales restrictions, including a coupon system and a daily limit of 20 liters.
Fuel Crisis and Its Consequences
Between June 1 and June 3, the topic of fuel shortages appeared over 2,600 times on Telegram channels, reaching a total audience of more than 6.8 million views. Approximately 70% of tourists in Crimea have been stranded by the fuel crisis, severely limiting their ability to travel.
The fuel shortage is not confined to Crimea; supply problems have also been reported in:
- Luhansk region
- Donetsk region
- Berdyansk
- Melitopol
- Enerhodar
Additionally, the crisis is having knock-on effects in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, as well as in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. In Sevastopol, local stores have introduced limits on the sale of cooking oil and pasta—no more than three bottles and three packages per person.
Fuel deliveries will be made exclusively for emergency and rescue services; there will be no open sale.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, head of the occupation administration
Local experts predict the fuel shortage will last at least a month. As a result, the fuel supply situation in Sevastopol and other regions remains critical and in urgent need of resolution.
The fuel deficit in Crimea and beyond stems from military actions that have severely disrupted Russian oil infrastructure. The imposed restrictions on fuel and other goods highlight a worsening economic situation that, according to expert forecasts, could persist for months. With fuel scarce and sales limited, the local population faces growing hardships, potentially leading to social tensions in the region.
The ongoing fuel crisis in Crimea is further exacerbated by a significant decline in Russian oil production, leading to severe shortages across the region. As the local administration struggles to manage the situation, the impact of dwindling oil supplies becomes increasingly apparent, affecting not only Crimea but also neighboring areas facing similar challenges.