Russia’s Fuel Crisis Deepens: Gasoline Prices Surge Nearly 20% After Refinery Strikes.

Fuel Shortage Grips Russia

According to Espreso.tv: Russia is experiencing a severe fuel shortage, driving gasoline prices to record highs. This crisis stems from strikes on oil refineries, which have slashed gasoline production by a quarter. The steepest price hikes are occurring in Kamchatka, Dagestan, Chechnya, and Tyva. In occupied Crimea, fuel prices have reached 185–200 rubles per liter.

Market Turmoil

The fuel shortage has been building since late May, and by June, average gasoline prices had already climbed 6.7%, pushing the annual increase close to 20%. Daily gasoline consumption in Russia now exceeds 110,000 metric tons, while imports from India and Kazakhstan fall far short of covering demand. Kazakhstan plans to supply only 50,000 tons of fuel—far too little to stabilize the Russian market.

Nine of Russia’s ten largest refineries have been damaged, compounding the problem. Starting June 17, Russian authorities plan to import gasoline from Asian countries including China, Singapore, and South Korea. On July 1, the country also began seaborne gasoline deliveries from India. So far, however, these measures have failed to resolve the shortage, threatening the stability of Russia’s energy sector.

The fuel deficit has serious economic repercussions, as rising gasoline prices drive up the cost of goods and services across the country.

This situation risks fueling social unrest, especially in regions where fuel prices have already hit record levels. While the Russian government scrambles to secure imports from abroad, these efforts have yet to yield tangible results, potentially deepening the energy crisis.