Food shortages grip stores in Russia‑annexed Crimea and Sevastopol

Residents of the annexed Crimean peninsula and the city of Sevastopol have reported that supermarket shelves are increasingly empty of basic food items such as buckwheat, sugar, salt, flour, rice and pasta. Social‑media posts and chat groups quote locals describing the shortage and noting that some retail chains have introduced limits on the quantities that can be bought.

The problem is not yet uniform across the entire peninsula, but it coincides with broader supply disruptions. Since the end of May, Crimea has faced fuel‑supply problems after Ukrainian drone attacks on the federal highway “Novorossia,” the main route linking the region to Russia. Initial gasoline sales were limited and, from 4 June, sales were halted entirely, with fuel now distributed only on pre‑issued tickets.