Russia's Irkutsk Region Declares High Alert Over Severe Fuel Shortage

The Irkutsk region in Siberia is now under a "high alert" as authorities grapple with a severe fuel shortage. Governor Igor Kobzev announced the measure to prevent a potential emergency amid difficult supply conditions. State-owned oil giant Rosneft is restricting sales to 50 liters per vehicle daily, with other distributors implementing even lower quotas. The sale of fuel in canisters is strictly prohibited. Kobzev urged local businesses not providing essential services to shift to remote work to reduce travel demand. The primary goal is to "calm the crisis related to insufficient fuel deliveries," with the governor hoping for visible results next week. This situation is not isolated to Irkutsk; it reflects broader tensions in Russia's domestic fuel market, impacting numerous regions. Some Russian news agencies report that Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries have directly contributed to these shortages. Other Siberian territories, including Tomsk and Novosibirsk, have also reported fuel scarcity and implemented sales restrictions. President Vladimir Putin has called for measures to ensure sufficient fuel supplies for the agricultural sector and is considering a ban on diesel exports.