Acute petrol shortage in Russian-occupied Sevastopol, queues are forming at filling stations

The situation regarding the availability of petrol at filling stations in Russian-occupied Sevastopol deteriorated sharply on the evening of 22 May.

Source: Krym.Realii, a Crimea-related project by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing local residents

Details: Shortages of petrol and rising fuel prices have been observed in Sevastopol since the evening of 21 May.

"After representatives of the Russian authorities announced limits on the amount of petrol sold per customer [no more than 20 litres], citing 'logistical difficulties', long queues of cars had formed at filling stations by the evening," a local resident said.

Drivers are confused, with no clarity about what will happen next. City bus drivers say they will be issued petrol on the basis of coupons.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Kremlin-appointed "governor" of Sevastopol, promised that authorities are trying to normalise the situation as quickly as possible. His deputy, citing "certain logistical difficulties", said that petrol sales would be restricted at one of the filling stations in Sevastopol to no more than 20 litres per canister or vehicle to "prevent artificial panic buying".

Russian media outlets also reported that diesel fuel is currently being dispensed on a coupon basis.

Background:

• On the night of 16-17 May, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), together with Ukraine's defence forces, struck the Belbek airfield in occupied Crimea.
• On the night of 22-23 April, drones struck an oil depot in the city of Feodosiia, while explosions were also reported in other parts of temporarily occupied Crimea.

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