Drone strikes trigger severe fuel deficit across 33 Russian regions
Severe fuel shortages have engulfed 33 Russian regions, forcing hundreds of gas stations to close completely or restrict sales.
Prices for petrol and diesel have doubled or tripled in affected areas, while fuel quality has dropped sharply due to emergency regulatory rollbacks.
Widespread disruptions hit major cities and agricultural hubs
The crisis has disrupted daily life in major metropolitan centers, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as vital agricultural territories such as Krasnodar.
In coastal and agricultural zones, motorists report massive traffic queues stretching across multiple city blocks, with local Cossack patrols deployed to prevent line-cutting and maintain order.
Government relaxes environmental standards amid refinery damage
Russian authorities have authorized oil refineries to lower environmental standards and produce high-sulfur fuel to cushion the deficit.
The emergency measure follows extensive damage to Russian infrastructure, where Ukrainian strikes have disabled 26 refining installations since early summer.
At least four refineries shut down operations entirely in August, following seven facilities that remained off-line through late July.
Drivers report engine damage as protests face quick repression
Motorists are reporting severe mechanical failures caused by contaminated, rust-laden fuel supplied under the relaxed quality controls.
Citizens protesting the shortages or demanding governmental action face swift legal retaliation.
In Volgograd, authorities imposed fines of 10,000 rubles (€100) on several demonstrators and detained at least five individuals.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
