A new wave of gasoline shortages emerged across Russia in early August, with drivers in at least 12 regions facing long queues at filling stations, according to a count by the independent outlet 7x7.
Regions reporting problems included Krasnodar Krai, the Voronezh, Kaluga, Rostov, Ryazan, Tambov, Tula, Saratov, Smolensk, Penza, and Ulyanovsk regions, as well as Primorsky Krai.
Authorities and fuel retailers in some regions introduced purchase limits. In the Orenburg region, officials imposed fuel caps and an odd-even system based on license plate numbers. A similar system was introduced in the Lipetsk region.
The disruptions occurred amid Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistical problems. However, there is insufficient evidence to identify the strikes as the sole cause of the shortages.
Federal authorities did not formally declare a new nationwide fuel crisis.