Gasoline lines lengthen across Russia amid deepening fuel crisis

Russia is experiencing a severe fuel shortage, leading to extensive queues at gas stations nationwide. Drivers are reporting waits of hours, and in some regions, days, to refuel their vehicles. Many are forced to spend nights in their cars, searching entire cities for stations that still have fuel.

This crisis has been significantly worsened by a recent surge in Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian oil refineries. Since early July 2026, numerous refineries, including one in Omsk, have been attacked, disrupting production. Ukraine has reportedly targeted all of Russia's ten largest oil refineries, intensifying a fuel crisis that now spans much of the country.

The scarcity is compelling Russians to alter their daily routines. Car sharing and increased use of public transport are becoming common. In rural areas, demand for bicycles has surged, with sales increasing significantly. Some residents are even resorting to purchasing horses for agricultural tasks and daily transport, as reported by horse breeders experiencing a spike in demand. Meanwhile, some members of the Duma have criticized the government's silence on the issue, fearing a potential grain shortage if the agricultural sector is impacted by fuel scarcity.

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Why are the Minister of Agriculture and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the sector silent on the eve of the harvest? The country could be left without grain, which, under international sanctions, would be equivalent to a death sentence.