Fuel crisis cuts bus services in Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast

Bus services are being scaled back in the Henichesk municipal district in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast due to a fuel shortage.

Source: Vhoru, a local media outlet

Details: Khersonavtotransservis, a municipal transport company set up by the Russian occupation authorities, said services on four routes will be scaled back from 11 June. Other routes in the area will continue operating as usual for now.

The company said services will resume "as soon as the situation stabilises".

Meanwhile, the fuel and energy department in the Russian-occupied territory of Kherson Oblast described the fuel situation on the left bank of the oblast as tense but "under control".

It reported logistical difficulties, longer delivery times and a lack of stable schedules for petroleum product supplies.

Some petrol stations in the Russian-occupied part of the oblast sell fuel under contracts, using fuel cards and coupons. In some cases, "temporary restrictions on fuel sales to the public" are reportedly being introduced.

The Center of Journalistic Investigations, a media project run by two Crimean non-governmental organisations, the Information Press Center and the Crimean Center of Investigative Journalism, reported that petrol and diesel have disappeared from sale on the left bank of Kherson Oblast. Bus services are being suspended because of the lack of fuel, while local residents have nothing to refuel generators with.

Posts by local Russian-established media indicate that petrol appears at filling stations sporadically and fuel prices are rising.

Background:

• A fuel crisis has been ongoing in Russian-occupied Crimea since late May following Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistics infrastructure.
• At first, petrol sales in the city of Sevastopol were limited to 20 litres "per customer" and coupons for diesel were introduced. It was later reported that fuel was unavailable. In late May, the restrictions were extended to the rest of Crimea.
• In early June, petrol sales for cash were completely halted, and fuel sold under previously purchased coupons was also limited to 20 litres.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!