Russia is gradually restoring free gasoline sales after several months of shortage caused in part by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. During October, fuel sale restrictions were lifted in 13 Russian regions, as well as in temporarily occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. At the same time, supply disruptions persist in some parts of the country.
This was reported on October 29 by Russian media that analyzed the situation at Russian gas stations.
According to the publication, fuel sale restrictions were lifted in Ryazan, Lipetsk, Kostroma, Voronezh, Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Sverdlovsk, Tomsk and Vladimir regions, Krasnoyarsk and Stavropol territories, as well as in Karelia and Mordovia.
Free gasoline sales have also been fully restored in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol, where the fuel shortage was particularly acute. Previously, local occupation administrations introduced limits on vehicle refueling volumes, special fuel sale rules and other measures to curb the shortage.
However, the problems have not completely disappeared. In Tambov region, the gasoline sales system based on the parity of a car's license plate number was abolished, but the limit on fuel per customer and the ban on refueling cans were retained.
In Leningrad region, according to local authorities, supply difficulties still arise in some districts. Limits on gasoline sales also continue to apply at some gas stations in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district.
The improvement of the situation is linked by Russian officials to the restoration of oil refineries and a decrease in seasonal demand. Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak previously stated that several refineries have completed repair work. The market stabilization was also influenced by the reduction in fuel consumption after the end of the vacation season and autumn agricultural work.
An additional factor was the pause in regular Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries in the second half of October. At the same time, the Russian authorities had previously introduced restrictions on oil product exports, changed certain market regulation mechanisms and resorted to fuel imports to increase its availability inside the country.
According to official Rosstat data, during October 20-26, motor gasoline became cheaper in 57 Russian regions. The average retail price of gasoline decreased per week from 78.04 to 76.64 rubles per liter, and diesel fuel - from 86.58 to 86.52 rubles per liter.
However, the restoration of supply does not mean the return of the fuel market to its pre-crisis state. Experts interviewed by Russian media do not expect a further significant decrease in retail prices. The costs of repairing damaged refineries, including the purchase of imported equipment, continue to affect the cost of production and the availability of oil products.
As previously reported by "Kurs Ukrainy", after a series of strikes on Russian oil refineries in August, gasoline shortages caused queues at Moscow gas stations and interruptions in fuel sales in at least 12 regions of the Russian Federation. The current lifting of some restrictions indicates an easing of the deficit, although the sustainability of the supply recovery remains uncertain.
