Crimea faces acute gasoline shortage as Ukraine attacks fuel supplies

Ukrainian forces have intensified attacks on Russian fuel logistics, striking eight tanker vessels bound for the occupied Crimean peninsula and hitting fuel depots on the peninsula. The disruptions have forced Russian authorities to halt gasoline and diesel sales to private customers, limiting supplies to government and critical‑infrastructure sites. In response, the Russian government banned diesel exports until the end of July and announced plans to import petroleum products to ease the shortage.

Across Russia, the reduced output of oil‑refining plants after Ukrainian drone and missile strikes has produced long queues at petrol stations, with some people sleeping by the pumps and even using disabled children to bypass the lines. Local officials in regions such as Irkutsk have temporarily allowed certain disabled persons to refuel without waiting, while other areas report fuel theft and violent clashes over limited supplies. The fuel crisis is adding economic pressure to Russia’s occupation of Crimea and is being used by Kyiv as part of a strategy to wear down Russian control over the peninsula.