This week, many Russians have posted videos on social media complaining about the difficulties in obtaining gasoline and diesel. One clip shows a queue of cars several hundred meters long at a gas station along the highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
"Resembles an apocalypse"
According to news site The Bell, 53 Russian regions have imposed restrictions on how much gasoline and diesel private individuals can buy. In 18 regions, the limit has been set at 50 liters, but in some places even stricter restrictions are reported.
"I don't think anyone has really understood yet what's happening, but it's like an apocalypse," a resident of the city of Dimitrovgrad told the Astra news channel, which is run by Russian journalists in exile.
One explanation is Ukraine's successful attacks on Russian oil refineries and fuel depots. In late May, Reuters reported that virtually all major oil refineries in central Russia had either been forced to halt or reduce production due to the attacks.
This has had consequences. In the first week of June, the amount of crude oil processed in Russian refineries fell below four million barrels per day. This is the lowest level in 21 years, writes the American company Energy Intelligence in an analysis.
According to the company, Russia could be heading towards the country's worst fuel crisis ever this summer.
Export ban
In an effort to increase fuel production, Russian authorities have given selected refineries permission to produce gasoline and diesel with higher sulfur content, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reports. That increases wear on modern cars' engines and exhaust systems.
The fuel shortage is also leading to higher prices. Diesel prices have risen sharply and the shortage is making it difficult for Russian farmers to get fuel ahead of the harvest season, writes Forbes.
Another explanation for the price increases is the conflict in the Middle East, which has made it more profitable to export. Russia has already imposed a temporary ban on all gasoline exports and the government says it is ready to impose a similar ban on diesel "if necessary."
