The fuel shortage has worsened in Russia’s capital and the neighboring Moscow Region. Many gas stations are completely out of gasoline, and long lines have formed at those where it is still available. This is according to local Telegram channels.
At some Rosneft gas stations, drivers are waiting to fill up for anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. Cars are blocking entire lanes, and people are getting out of their cars to wait it out in the traffic jams.
“It’s the same picture everywhere—huge traffic jams. Most other gas stations are open, but they don’t have any gasoline,” one driver said.
At some gas stations, only certain types of fuel or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) remain in stock. For example, at Neftmagistral gas stations, you can only find diesel fuel or gasoline with additives. At the same time, some Teboil and “Trassa” stations are completely out of fuel. Gas station employees don’t know when to expect new deliveries.
Due to the shortage, some chains have sharply raised their prices. At some gas stations, the price of AI-95 gasoline has already reached 100 rubles per liter. The longest lines are at stations where gasoline is cheaper. Many gas stations have also imposed restrictions on the sale of gasoline in jerry cans.
As a reminder, according to Bloomberg, from June 16 to 22, gasoline prices at Russian gas stations rose by 3%—to 71.20 rubles per liter. This marked the sharpest weekly increase in fuel prices in Russia in the last two decades. Against this backdrop, long lines and fuel shortages have emerged in many regions of the country following damage to a number of oil refineries.
