Russia is diverting fuel from Siberia to save Moscow from shortages, says Reuters

The Russian authorities are redirecting fuel from Siberia and increasing imports from Belarus to prevent shortages in Moscow Oblast amid disruptions caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries.

Source: Reuters, citing industry sources, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Petrol output in Russia fell to a level covering approximately 65% of average seasonal consumption at the beginning of July. Production has been lagging behind demand for several months.

Following a Ukrainian attack on the Moscow oil refinery in mid-June, fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations emerged in the capital. Petrol and diesel supply in Moscow and Moscow Oblast were stabilised by mid-July through the redeployment of resources from other regions and imports.

Approximately 22 million people live in the Moscow Oblast – more than a sixth of Russia's population. The authorities usually give the capital priority in the supply of scarce goods.

Meanwhile, fuel shortages have affected all 11 of Russia's time zones to varying degrees. The most severe disruption has been reported in occupied Crimea, where fuel rationing has been introduced, some children's holiday programmes have been suspended, and the opening hours of shops and cafés have been reduced.

Background: The Russian government claimed that it has managed to "partially stabilise" the fuel market thanks to a ban on petroleum product exports and a shift to fuel imports, but the situation remains strained in a number of regions.

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