Russia’s Far East is grappling with escalating gasoline shortages following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks that have significantly impaired the nation’s oil refining capabilities, resulting in long queues at gas stations and fuel rationing for drivers.
Since early August, Russia has lost approximately 13% of its oil refining capacity due to at least seven refineries being targeted by Ukrainian drones, leading to complete shutdowns at four of them.
Motorists in the Primorye region began to experience fuel supply issues in early August, with the scarcity spreading to various towns such as Arsenyev, Ussuriysk, and the Chuguyevsky district before reaching the port city of Vladivostok, as reported by local media outlet PrimaMedia.
The fuel shortage has also caused significant traffic disruptions on the Ussuri federal highway, which links Primorye to the Khabarovsk region, where gas stations have seen cars lining up for fuel, according to the news site DVhab.
Residents have mentioned that fuel can only be purchased using ration cards, and only emergency services or company vehicles with special fuel cards are receiving consistent supplies.
“The gas pumps are plastered with ‘Out of order’ signs,” one driver shared with the outlet. “You can still get fuel in larger towns, but the waiting time is between one and two hours.”
Local news sources indicated that part of the issue arises from a seasonal increase in demand during the tourist season, coinciding with several refineries significantly reducing deliveries to the Far East—sometimes by as much as five times.
Another complication has developed within the Russian Railways system, where fuel trains destined for Vladivostok have experienced delays of up to two weeks.
While local officials have acknowledged these delays, they have downplayed the severity of the crisis, attributing the fuel shortages to summer demand and road construction that has hindered deliveries.
“The fuel stock at the region’s gas stations is adequate to ensure a continuous supply,” stated the Primorye regional government in an announcement.
These fuel shortages mirror similar crises reported last week in annexed Crimea and the Zabaikalsky region in the Far East, where gasoline is now available via coupon.
Sergei Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed leader of Crimea, has openly recognized the issue and linked it to decreased refinery production, urging residents to “exercise patience until the conclusion of the special military operation.”
The supply crunch caused by the refinery closures has driven wholesale gasoline prices to unprecedented levels.
On Tuesday, benchmark A-92 fuel was trading at 71,970 rubles ($900, based on spot foreign exchange market data published by Reuters) per ton, while A-95 was at 81,337 rubles ($1,015) per ton on the St. Petersburg exchange—marking rises of roughly 40% and 50%, respectively, since the beginning of the year.
