Published 06.51
Long queues at petrol stations and rationing of petrol and diesel in several regions. The fuel shortage is becoming increasingly felt in Russia, according to independent Russian exile media.
One explanation is Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries.
This week, many Russians have posted videos on social media complaining about difficulties in obtaining petrol and diesel. A clip shows a queue of cars several hundred meters long at a gas station along the highway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
“Looks like an apocalypse”
According to the news site The Bell, 53 Russian regions have introduced restrictions on how much gasoline and diesel private individuals can fill up. In 18 regions the limit has been set at 50 litres, but in some places even tighter restrictions are reported.
– I don’t think anyone has really understood what is happening yet, but it is similar to an apocalypse, says a resident of the city of Dimitrovgrad to the news channel Astra, which is run by Russian journalists in exile.
One of the explanations is Ukraine’s successful attacks on Russian oil refineries and fuel depots. In late May, Reuters reported that virtually all major oil refineries in the central parts of Russia had either been forced to halt or reduce production due to the attacks.
And this has had consequences. In the first week of June, the amount of crude oil being processed at Russian refineries fell below four million barrels per day. It is the lowest level in 21 years, writes the American company Energy Intelligence in an analysis.
According to the company, this summer Russia may be on its way to the country’s worst fuel crisis ever.
Export ban
In an attempt to increase fuel production, Russian authorities have given selected refineries permission to produce petrol and diesel with a higher sulfur content, writes the Russian newspaper Kommersant. Something that increases the wear and tear on modern cars’ engines and exhaust systems.
The fuel shortage also leads to higher prices. The price of diesel has risen sharply and the shortage is making it difficult for Russian farmers to get fuel before the harvest season, writes Forbes.
Another explanation for the price increases is the conflict in the Middle East, which made it more profitable to export. Russia has already imposed a temporary ban on all petrol exports and the government says it is ready to impose a similar ban on diesel “if necessary”.
