Gasoline collapse: what awaits Crimea amid fuel shortages
29 September 22:27
The fuel crisis continues to flare up in Crimea: Sergey Aksyonov’s promises to solve the problem of the disappearance of A 95 gasoline do not work. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to “Crimea. Realities”.
Despite assurances, at gas stations on the peninsula are still presented only alternative brands – 95ULTRA and A 100, while the most familiar and popular A 95 and A 92 have almost disappeared from the sale.
A local activist said that on September 25, Aksyonov assured: within one or two days the issue with A 95 gasoline will be resolved. It is already September 28, but there is still no fuel. People, believing in the promises, spend the rest of gasoline, hoping for a soon replenishment, but it does not come.
The situation is aggravated by rising prices. The shortage creates a ground for speculation: oil traders and owners of gas stations actually dictate conditions and raise prices. According to activists, in Crimea, there is already less blathering about rising prices – for the fact that gasoline appears at all, some people are already rejoicing.
The official versions of the causes of the crisis sound like this: problems with logistics and supply disruptions through the Kerch ferry crossing. The shortage is also affected by restrictions on delivery routes, remoteness of a number of filling stations from suppliers’ bases and complexity of transportation.
But there is also a more fundamental factor: the reduction of refining in Russia, which directly affects fuel supplies to Crimea. A number of media outlets have noted that Ukrainian drones regularly attack Russian refineries and oil infrastructure, forcing refiners to reduce gasoline output.
In response, the occupation authorities are introducing stabilization measures: since September 29, gas stations in Crimea have limited the sale of gasoline to one customer – no more than 30 liters. The same number introduced a “price ceiling” for 30 days: A 92 – 70 rubles per liter, A 95 – 76 rubles, diesel fuel – 75 rubles.
Similar restrictions are observed in Sevastopol. At the same time, at many gas stations gasoline has disappeared altogether. Therefore, about half of the gas stations in Crimea have closed or stopped working. Some gas stations simply do not have fuel, or sell it according to coupons or “mandatory” standards.
Tourists on the peninsula also face problems: gasoline there is more expensive than in mainland Russia (by 15 – 20 rubles at similar gas stations, as reported by visitors).
Recent data from international agencies confirm that Crimea is not the only region where gasoline shortages have worsened: Russia as a whole is facing serious fuel instability. In response, the authorities are imposing export restrictions on gasoline and freezing prices.
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Experts warn that the fuel crisis in Crimea cannot be considered just a “local problem”. It is intertwined with logistics, general energy strikes on Russia’s infrastructure, economic instability and managerial shortcomings.
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