Russia's Fuel Crisis Reaches Everyday Life: Two-Day Waits for 30 Liters, Ukrainian Drones Suspected

Fueling up in Russia has become a test of patience, with drivers in cities like Chita waiting up to 36 hours for a mere 30 liters of gasoline. Many gas stations are rationing fuel, leading to scenes of people distributing water to those in line and occasional scuffles as drivers try to cut ahead. These consequences of the war are now a daily reality for Russians, even in cities far from the front lines.

The gasoline crisis, initially observed in occupied Crimea in May, has now gripped mainland Russia. Many regions report completely empty gas stations or severely rationed supplies. While Moscow and St. Petersburg receive preferential treatment to maintain an appearance of normalcy, queues there are also becoming exceptionally long, reportedly visible even from space near Sheremetyevo Airport.

Evidence suggests Ukrainian drone attacks may be exacerbating the fuel shortage. A video from Michailowsk, in southern Russia, captured the sound of a drone, similar to a lawnmower, before it struck an oil depot. This incident occurred during a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure between July 8th and 9th.

The fuel scarcity is also impacting car-sharing services. Some companies are offering bonus points and fuel reimbursements for successful refueling, but the high rental costs incurred during long waits often outweigh these incentives. To navigate the shortages, drivers are relying on specialized websites where they share real-time information about fuel availability and queue lengths at various gas stations, helping others avoid fruitless trips to empty pumps.