Crimea's Fuel Crisis Worsens Under Occupation
A severe fuel shortage is gripping occupied Crimea, triggered by Ukrainian attacks on Russian logistics routes and oil refineries. In response, authorities have imposed strict limits on gasoline sales, leading to scarcity, skyrocketing prices, and a thriving black market. This crisis is also rippling across other Russian regions and occupied territories, threatening Crimea's vital tourism season.
Gasoline Sales Restrictions Enforced
Starting May 31, 2023, Sergei Aksyonov capped purchases of AI-95 gasoline at 20 liters per vehicle per day. A similar limit applies to AI-92 gasoline, but without the use of coupons and with a ban on filling canisters. In Sevastopol, Mayor Mikhail Razvozhayev introduced comparable restrictions. On June 1, the 'ATAN' and 'TES' gas station chains halted the sale of fuel coupons to individuals. On the night of June 2–3, Razvozhayev announced that fuel would only be dispensed to emergency services.
At most stations, AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline have completely disappeared, with queues stretching 2–3 kilometers and people lining up as early as 5 a.m.
- Federal chains like Lukoil, Gazprom, and Rosneft are not operating in Crimea due to sanctions.
- On the black market in Simferopol and Sevastopol, AI-95 prices range from 200 to 350 rubles per liter.
- The distance between Kerch and Taman is 30 kilometers.
- In St. Petersburg, starting June 3, gasoline sales are limited to 50 liters per vehicle.
Between May 25 and 31, diesel prices rose by 0.7%, AI-92 by 0.4%, and AI-95 by 0.5%. Ukrainian drones monitor the R-280 'Novorossiya' highway up to 200 kilometers from the front line, complicating fuel deliveries. Transporters now charge up to 100,000 rubles per tanker trip to Crimea, and at the Kerch Strait ferry crossing, hundreds of tankers wait in queues for 4–5 days. Crimea's daily demand for petroleum products is about 1,000 tons.
In Feodosia, tourism demand has dropped by 10%, and on Crimea's southern coast, small hotel cancellations range from 5–10%. Approximately 70% of visitors arrive by car, making the fuel crisis a major threat to the tourist season. Satellite images from May 12–13 showed oil product pollution off the southern coast of Crimea.
Gennady Ryabtsev notes that 'virtually only one supply channel for petroleum products to Crimea remains: car ferries transporting tankers.'
According to Ryabtsev, the fuel shortage in Crimea stems from a lack of logistics, driving up prices and creating scarcity. A local Crimean historian and tour guide remarked that 'people are running out of money and need to address extending their stay and compensating for expenses,' adding that 'none of this is available.'
The fuel crisis in Crimea underscores the impact of Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure, which have severely disrupted fuel supplies to the region. Sales restrictions and black market price hikes are endangering not only Crimea's economy but also its tourism season, which is already feeling the pinch. If conditions persist, Crimea could face serious economic and social challenges in the near future.
The ongoing fuel crisis in Crimea is exacerbated by the recent strikes on oil refineries, leading to severe shortages and heightened tensions in the region. For a deeper understanding of how these attacks are impacting fuel availability specifically in Sevastopol, you can read more about the gas shortage caused by refinery strikes.