The “special military operation” in Ukraine, launched by President Vladimir Putin three and a half years ago, is taking a toll on ordinary Russians, who are finding it increasingly difficult to buy gasoline — and now diesel.
A sweeping gasoline shortage is affecting a growing number of regions across Russia, according to the Telegram channel Istrebin.UA, citing multiple Russian media outlets.
Russian fuel traders are reporting shortages not only of gasoline but also of diesel.
Sergey Latskikh, head of Sibir-GSM and president of the Association of Independent Oil Traders of the Russian Fuel Union in the Novosibirsk region, said stocks of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline have already run out for the overwhelming majority of the association’s members.
“All participants in our association of independent fuel traders, with the exception of Gazoil and Energia, have stopped selling AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline. As for diesel fuel, it’s still available for now, but these are just leftovers: storage tanks are practically empty,” Latskikh said.
He added that the market is effectively operating “off the truck” — newly delivered fuel is being dispatched straight to gas stations for immediate sale. Remaining volumes from earlier exchange deliveries are also being sold.
New shipments of gasoline and diesel are expected, but prices are forecast to be significantly higher.
Residents in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk are also reporting gasoline shortages. According to local drivers, stations owned by the major “25 Hours” chain have been out of fuel for three days, with locations shuttered. Drivers across the Krasnoyarsk region are expressing deep concern about the scarcity, especially amid rising prices.
“Last week, gasoline prices jumped sharply at KNP chain stations in the region — a liter of AI-95 rose by 4 rubles. Other chains also raised prices,” the channel’s authors note.
On Sakhalin Island, residents of Tomari and Kholmsk have likewise complained of a complete lack of fuel at private gas stations, saying the situation has persisted for a month.
