In Crimea, residents are experiencing significant fuel shortages due to Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian oil infrastructure. The situation has led to gasoline rationing, with drivers in Russian-controlled areas facing long queues at filling stations. The rationing primarily affects Ai-95 gasoline, and residents are now required to use fuel coupons for purchases.
Impact on Local Residents
In Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea and home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, drivers like Oksana Senchenko have struggled to find fuel. “I haven’t been able to fill up for two days now,” she said, highlighting the scarcity of both Ai-92 and Ai-95 gasoline.
The fuel shortage is a direct result of ongoing Ukrainian attacks on oil facilities, which have intensified since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These attacks, coupled with Western sanctions, have made crude exports more costly for Russia, exacerbating the fuel crisis in Crimea.
Historical Context and Current Challenges
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014 following a disputed referendum, has been a focal point of tension between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently stated that Ukrainian sovereignty over Crimea must be restored, ruling out any cession of territory occupied by Russian forces.
In response to the fuel crisis, the Russian government has banned aviation fuel exports until November 30. Additionally, former Ukrainian lawmaker Oleg Tsaryov noted that Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted the ‘Novorossiya’ highway, a vital land corridor connecting mainland Russia to Crimea.
Authorities Urge Calm
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-backed governor of Sevastopol, has called for calm among residents, emphasizing that the current difficulties are temporary. “These are temporary but objective challenges that we will overcome,” he stated, urging people not to panic.
Fuel rationing measures have also been implemented in other parts of Russia, including the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. The situation highlights the broader impact of the conflict on Russian-controlled territories and the ongoing challenges faced by residents in these areas.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
