Strict Fuel Purchase Limits Imposed in Crimea and Sevastopol Amid Shortage.

Fuel Shortage Hits Occupied Regions

According to Espreso.tv: A growing scarcity of automotive fuel has emerged in the occupied territories of Sevastopol and Crimea, with the problem now extending into the capital region. Across various parts of Ukraine, authorities have introduced strict purchase caps due to the worsening market conditions. In Sevastopol, the occupation administration has restricted gasoline sales to just 20 liters per person, significantly limiting access for local residents.

Crimea has also implemented a 20-liter-per-person limit on AI-95 gasoline. In New Moscow, gasoline sales are capped at 60 liters per person, while diesel fuel is limited to 100 liters. Similar restrictions have been put in place in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, highlighting a broader escalation of fuel shortages across Ukraine.

Root Causes of the Fuel Crisis

The shortage stems from a combination of domestic issues and external pressures. In May 2023, Ukraine carried out 16 attacks on Russian oil refineries, which likely disrupted fuel supplies. Additionally, the Russian government has banned the export of aviation fuel until the end of November 2026, a move that threatens to further destabilize the fuel market.

The fuel deficit in the occupied areas could have severe repercussions for the local economy and residents' daily lives, as sales restrictions may drive up prices and create long queues. The imposition of fuel purchase limits in other Ukrainian regions suggests that this crisis may have broader national implications, underscoring the vulnerability of the energy infrastructure amid war and international sanctions. These circumstances may push the Ukrainian government to take additional steps to stabilize the fuel market and ensure resource availability for the population.