Russia's fuel shortage spreads to Moscow as queues return to petrol stations – Bloomberg

Since the beginning of August, Ukrainian forces have attacked Russian oil refineries at least 21 times, while a petrol shortage has once again hit drivers, including in Moscow and Moscow Oblast.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: Fuel supplies across Russia temporarily improved after the attacks eased in the second half of July. However, the respite was short-lived, with a new wave of strikes once again worsening the shortage.

Residents of Moscow and Moscow Oblast are sharing daily information in local chats about petrol stations where fuel is still available and the length of the queues. Queues of 30-50 cars in the capital are no longer unusual.

Fuel sales restrictions are in place in dozens of regions, from the Baltic coast to Siberia. One glamping site near the Black Sea even announced on social media that it was giving visitors a full canister of petrol for free.

The absence of a queue likely means that a petrol station has run out of fuel or is selling it at an excessively high price. At independent petrol stations, petrol costs around 100 roubles – approximately US$1.20 – per litre or more. At major oil companies with their own refineries, the price remains below 80 roubles.

The latest wave of shortages is making everyday life more difficult for more than 50 million Russian drivers and their families. Bloomberg reports that Kyiv is seeking to shift the consequences of the war onto Russian territory, weaken public support for the war and reduce revenues from hydrocarbon exports.

According to Bloomberg, Ukraine attacked four of Russia's 10 largest oil refineries in August. They were built to ensure a stable supply of fuel to the country's most densely populated and industrially developed regions.

Background:

• The autumn peak in fuel demand could coincide with scheduled maintenance at major Russian refineries and one of Belarus's two refineries, which have been actively supplying fuel to Russia, potentially creating a new shortage in the country.
• A new wave of fuel shortages that began in early August has spread to almost the whole of Russia. Most regions are experiencing serious restrictions on fuel sales. Sixteen regions have introduced partial restrictions.

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