Fuel Shortage Grips Russian-Controlled Crimea Following Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Oil Infrastructure

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and supply routes have caused a severe fuel shortage in Russian-controlled Crimea, leading to rationing. Measures include a 20-liter cap on gasoline and the suspension of fuel vouchers by the peninsula's largest gas station chain. Officials state it may take a month to resolve the crisis, while Russia has banned gasoline and aviation fuel exports to manage domestic supply.

Crimean fuel shortage rationing

• ▪TES, the largest gas station chain in Russian-controlled Crimea, suspended the distribution of gasoline vouchers on June 1, 2026.
• ▪Emergency rationing measures in Crimea, first introduced on May 22, include a 20-liter cap per vehicle for AI-92 gasoline and a ban on filling jerry cans.
• ▪Moscow-backed Crimea governor, Sergei Aksyonov, imposed limits on sales of Ai-95 gasoline and required the use of fuel coupons for purchases.
• ▪In Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, long queues have formed at filling stations, with daily quotas selling out within hours.

Ukrainian drone strikes refineries

• ▪Ukrainian strikes on refineries have halted or reduced production at facilities that account for about 25% of Russia's total refining capacity and over 30% of its gasoline output.
• ▪The fuel shortage is attributed to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and on fuel trucks along the 'Novorossiya' highway land corridor.

Government response timeline

• ▪The Kremlin stated on June 1, 2026, that all levels of government were working to resolve the shortage, after saying in late May it saw "no risks" of nationwide shortages.
• ▪Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Kremlin-installed governor of Sevastopol, attributed the difficulties to the need to strengthen security and optimize logistics routes.
• ▪Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev and Crimean Governor Sergei Aksyonov stated it would take at least 30 days to resolve the fuel shortage.

Russian gasoline export ban

• ▪The Russian government also banned aviation fuel exports until November 30.
• ▪A total ban on gasoline exports is in effect across Russia through July 31.

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