New Fuel Purchase System Launches in Sevastopol
On June 7, 2026, a new gasoline sales system was introduced in occupied Sevastopol, requiring drivers to use personal QR codes. The initiative was announced by the so-called governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev. The first limited batch of QR codes was claimed by drivers in under an hour. By the morning of June 7, all available codes had been distributed, with the next batch promised to be 'released into the network' after 10:00 PM.
How the QR Code System Works
Under the new rules, each driver can generate a QR code to purchase up to 20 liters of fuel, but the service is limited to once every seven days. To obtain a QR code, drivers must install the MAKH mobile app. The QR code is valid from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and must be personally verified and canceled by a controller. Razvozhayev acknowledged that the mobile software is currently malfunctioning, noting that they will 'fix it on the go.'
The occupying authorities have also blocked the use of paper fuel coupons for private individuals, reserving them only for municipal services, emergency medical teams, and other essential infrastructure. Gas stations operate in a closed mode for special vehicles from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. To fill canisters, drivers must present the original vehicle registration certificate (STS), with the number matching the data linked to the QR code.
This new system is being tested at TES gas stations but has already raised numerous questions and concerns among drivers due to technical glitches.
The introduction of this QR-code-based gasoline sales system in Sevastopol signals the occupying administration's attempt to tighten control over the fuel market amid limited resource access. While the use of QR codes and mobile apps might appear as a step toward modernization, the technical issues already surfacing cast doubt on the initiative's effectiveness. The ban on paper fuel coupons for private individuals also raises concerns, as it could further restrict ordinary citizens' access to gasoline. Monitoring the situation's development may reveal further shifts in the occupying authorities' resource policies in the region.
The recent implementation of a QR code system for gasoline purchases in Sevastopol mirrors similar restrictions seen in other occupied regions, such as the limitations on fuel sales in Luhansk. This trend highlights the occupying authorities' tightening grip on fuel distribution, raising concerns about accessibility and the implications for local drivers.