In occupied Crimea, the sale of gasoline for cash is completely stopped for several days. This was reported by Sergey Aksyonov, the head of the peninsula appointed by Moscow.
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According to the head of the Russian occupation administration, fuel coupons are no longer sold in Crimea and will not appear on open sale in the near future. Those who purchased coupons earlier will be able to receive no more than 20 liters of gasoline per vehicle.
To control the situation, representatives of local occupation authorities and state structures will be on duty at each gas station, recording the numbers of cars fueling with coupons. At the same time, utility services, ambulances, security forces, and public transport, officials claim, will be supplied with fuel in full.
The restrictions have been introduced amidst a severe fuel shortage on the annexed peninsula. The problems are linked to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistical infrastructure connected to supplies to Crimea. Ukrainian drones have effectively taken control of the route that provided a "land corridor" to Crimea through other occupied Ukrainian territories. As a result, oil refining volumes and gasoline supplies have significantly decreased.
Overall, since the beginning of the year, many Russian oil refineries have been attacked, and some of them have temporarily ceased or significantly curtailed operations. This has led to a decrease in gasoline supply on the market and a rise in prices.
Against this backdrop, the Crimean authorities also warned of criminal liability for filming and publishing information about the movement of fuel tankers. Such actions could face severe punishment under Russian law.
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