Fuel Sales Halted in Sevastopol
Authorities in the occupied city of Sevastopol have announced a ban on fuel sales to the general public for June 22 and 23. During this period, only emergency and special service vehicles will be allowed to refuel. The measure was introduced in response to recent events on the peninsula, particularly the overloading of the electrical grid. Mikhail Razvozhayev, head of the occupation administration in Sevastopol, warned that temporary power outages may be scheduled due to grid strain outside the city and urged residents to reduce their electricity usage.
Schedule Changes and Restrictions
Starting June 22, public transport will operate only from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM. The ferry crossing between the Crimean and Caucasus ports has been suspended, with only passenger boats remaining in service. Shopping centers, supermarkets, and hypermarkets will be limited to operating from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while cafes and food establishments may only open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Street lighting will remain off.
The fuel sale restrictions were enacted after strikes targeted the ferry infrastructure connecting the ports of Crimea and Kavkaz. On the morning of June 21, the operational headquarters of Krasnodar Krai confirmed a drone attack on the ferry Panagia in the Temryuk district, which resulted in one fatality and the temporary closure of the crossing. Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+ released footage showing three car ferries ablaze near Port Kavkaz. Russian channels also confirmed that three vessels had been hit.
Up until these events, seven ferries were responsible for supplying Crimea, but the situation has shifted following the incident involving the Panagia—a vessel listed by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. Notably, the Panagia was a Greek ferry sold to Rosmorport in September 2024.
The fuel sale restrictions and other measures imposed by the occupation administration highlight the tense situation in the region, largely driven by ongoing military actions. These changes are expected to significantly disrupt daily life for Sevastopol residents, creating additional challenges amid limited access to transport and goods. At the same time, the disruption to the ferry crossing underscores heightened risks and threats that could impact logistics and the broader economy of Crimea.
In light of the recent restrictions, it's essential to understand the broader implications for transportation in the region. The closure of key routes under the occupation authority's orders has further complicated access to Crimea, as detailed in a related report on the ongoing challenges faced by residents. For more information on these critical changes and their impact, see our coverage of key travel routes affected by the occupation.