Russia's gasoline crisis: sales restrictions and long queues at gas stations!

Russia's gasoline crisis: sales restrictions and long queues at gas stations!

Russia's energy sector is facing an extraordinary crisis due to Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries. Since August 2025, about a third of the country's major refineries, a total of 21 out of 38, have been attacked. This has led to a massive decline in crude oil processing, with processing volumes falling to 4.86 million barrels per day in October, down almost 10% from July. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that refining output is 14% below 2021 levels - the lowest level in at least five years. Loud Mercury Russia now has to react with purchasing restrictions in several regions.

Gasoline sales caps have been introduced in at least four Russian regions. In Tyumen, customers are allowed to purchase a maximum of 30 liters of 92 and 95 octane gasoline, while in Sverdlovsk several gas station chains set upper limits of 20 to 30 liters per vehicle. In Crimea, too, the upper limit was reduced to 20 liters. In Chelyabinsk, motorists are allowed to purchase 30 liters of gasoline and 70 liters of diesel per day. In Novosibirsk, the Prime gas station chain has stopped selling AI-92 gasoline due to supply shortages. These shortages create long queues at gas stations, where drivers have to wait up to two hours for gas ZDF reported.

Gasoline prices and inflation

The fuel shortage has not only affected the availability of petrol but has also led to price hikes. The price of AI-92 gasoline increased by three rubles in two days. Wholesale gasoline prices on the St. Petersburg Stock Exchange rose by almost 10% in September and by about 50% since the beginning of the year. This is another sign of the worsening fuel crisis in Russia, like DW notes.

The situation is particularly worrying with regard to inflation. Retail gasoline prices have risen 8.36% since the beginning of the year, which is twice the general inflation rate. The government is trying to keep the domestic market stable through state price regulations and compensation for oil companies. However, it is becoming clear that government intervention is not enough to solve the problems.

Government measures and international imports

To deal with the crisis, the Russian government has extended the ban on gasoline and diesel exports until the end of 2025 and plans to increase imports from China, Singapore and South Korea. Imports of Belarusian gasoline rose to 49,000 tons in September, while diesel shipments stood at 33,000 tons. However, these measures appear to be only partially effective, as the expected stabilization has not yet materialized and repairs to the damaged refineries are lagging behind.

Vladimir Putin presents himself as a stable leader of the energy industry during Russian Energy Week, although the real conditions at gas stations give a different impression. According to economist Vladislav Inozemtsev, the Ukrainian attacks appear to be making the challenges facing the Russian economy and the daily lives of citizens increasingly clear. The situation could drag on for months as Russian manufacturers struggle to restore production capacity. Inozemtsev believes it is unlikely that Russia will return to normal operations this year.

In summary, Russia must deal with an ongoing fuel crisis and the economic fallout from the Ukraine conflict, while at the same time trying to stabilize its energy supplies and address domestic market challenges.