Russia temporarily restricts fuel sales in several regions

JAKARTA - Russia has imposed temporary restrictions on the sale of fuel in several regions amid high demand.

In the Saratov region, the sale of gasoline to individual customers will be temporarily limited to 30 liters (7.9 gallons) per vehicle from June 23 to June 30.

"This forced step is necessary to reduce unfounded commotion and possible speculation in the fuel market," said Governor Roman Busargin, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, June 23.

In the Omsk region, authorities have imposed temporary restrictions on the sale of gasoline and diesel at gas stations to prevent "artificial demand at gas stations and speculation," said the local governor Vitaly Khotsenko on Telegram.

"Under the restrictions, fuel can only be filled directly into the vehicle's tank," he said, adding that purchases were limited to 40 liters (10.5 gallons) of gasoline and 80 liters (21 gallons) of diesel per vehicle.

"At highway gas stations, the limit is 40 liters of gasoline and 200 liters (52.8 gallons) of diesel fuel. This restriction does not apply to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)," said Khotsenko.

In the Voronezh region, temporary restrictions have been imposed on Lukoil gas stations since June 23. According to the statement of the local regional government, the purchase limit is 30 liters of gasoline and 60 liters of diesel fuel per vehicle, while on highway gas stations the limit is 60 liters (15.8 gallons) of gasoline and 200 liters of diesel fuel.

"Currently, sufficient supplies of AI-95, AI-92, and diesel fuel are still available at federal gas stations. Temporary stock shortages at certain gas stations are due to logistical problems and increased demand," the regional authorities said on Telegram.

Following recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, several facilities have been closed for maintenance, prompting Moscow to periodically impose restrictions aimed at stabilizing the domestic fuel market.

Over the past week, restrictions on the sale of fuel have also been imposed in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, as well as in Russia's Tver region.

According to local authorities, fuel in annexed Crimea is currently only sold to government agencies, while in the Tver region, corporate clients can continue to fill up without restrictions.

Russian oil producer Tatneft has imposed a temporary restriction on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel at its gas stations across the country after the Ukrainian Defense Forces claimed that a drone attack on June 12 targeted the TANECO refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, part of the Tatneft group.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian General Staff claimed its forces had attacked 16 Russian oil refineries and major fuel terminals, causing more than 30 percent of refining capacity to be out of operation.