Fuel Crisis in St. Petersburg: New Restrictions on the Horizon
Authorities in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region are weighing the introduction of QR-code-based gasoline sales or a schedule tied to odd and even days. These potential measures stem from a worsening fuel shortage, triggered by Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries. Denis Sedov, Deputy Governor of the Leningrad region, stated:
“We are considering both QR codes and an odd-even fueling system. There’s nothing alarming about this. The goal is to ensure people can arrive at a gas station confident they’ll get the fuel they need.”
New Systems and Limits Already in Place
A QR-code fuel purchasing system is already active in occupied Sevastopol, where residents obtain a weekly code through the state-run Max messenger. This code allows the purchase of up to 20 liters of a single fuel type at designated stations. A similar approach is being tested in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where refueling is now scheduled based on whether the first digit of a vehicle’s license plate is odd or even.
In St. Petersburg, gasoline sales are already capped at between 20 and 100 liters per vehicle. Long queues have formed at most stations, and some have temporarily shut down. Meanwhile, the cost to convert a car to run on gas has jumped from 35,000 to 120,000 rubles, with appointments for installation now booked for September and October.
The fuel crisis in Russia has been worsened not only by attacks on refineries but also by a ban on diesel exports, postponed refinery maintenance, and the start of imports for certain petroleum products. Regional authorities have imposed additional sales restrictions, further straining supply chains.
The situation in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region reflects broader economic and military pressures facing Russia. Rising costs for gas-equipment conversions and the adoption of new fuel sales systems show the government’s attempts to adapt—but also highlight the severity of ongoing supply problems. While QR codes and scheduled limits may offer temporary relief, the long-term impact of these measures will require close monitoring.
As the fuel crisis intensifies, many residents are turning to alternative solutions, including homemade gasoline recipes. This trend highlights the desperation among the populace amidst the ongoing shortages, further complicating the situation in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.