Overview
- Fuel shortages have continued into early July, with many regions reporting long queues, widespread station closures and suspension of free retail sales in some cities.
- Local authorities say some stations now dispense fuel only by corporate or municipal fuel cards that are meant for company and official vehicles.
- Multiple regional reports and videos show certain pumps serving government plates or asking for IDs or code words, which residents say gives officials exclusive access to scarce petrol.
- The federal government instructed oil companies to increase deliveries to regions as a response to the complaints and supply pressure.
- Media and regional statements link the drop in available fuel to repeated strikes on Russian refineries that have reduced domestic processing and left logistics unable to meet local demand, a situation that risks longer queues and limits for private drivers.