June 11, 2026

Fuel Crisis Comes to Crimea


Fuel Crisis Comes to Crimea
A dangerous route. The Russian Life files

Ukrainian drone attacks on fuel trucks traveling between Crimea and Russia have led to a shortage of gasoline on the peninsula. According to Meduza, as a result of this, restrictions on gasoline sales were introduced in Crimea on May 31, and gasoline began to be distributed via ration cards. But then, on June 4, sale of the cards also ceased. 

To understand the consequences of the fuel blockade, journalistic cooperative Bereg spoke with locals. They report that public transportation is still running, but travel on the peninsula is difficult. Because some areas are hard to reach, many people must rely on private cars. But with the fuel shortage this has become problematic. Some private gas stations occasionally receive gasoline and sell it, but you have to line up at night and wait for 6 to 10 hours. 

“For me, it’s not just an inconvenience,” said one Bereg’s interviewee. “I work outside the city. It takes 15 minutes by car, but an hour and a half by bus. I have two children. It’s a five-minute drive to the preschool, but about forty minutes on foot. By the time you drop off your child and get to where you’re going, you’re already starting to be late for work. So the lack of gasoline is a problem that affects me every day.”

Overall, Crimeans say they’ve gotten used to the difficulties, and the fuel situation, though alarming, isn’t a disaster — at least not yet. Some people now walk to work and say it is good for their health; others say they use their car only when absolutely necessary, making sure there’s always enough fuel left in the tank to drive to the mainland to refuel. For some, the fuel crisis isn’t that significant compared to Ukrainian drones flying overhead.

Many said they hope that life will somehow get back on track; however, some report they are stocking up on grains and canned goods, in case problems arise with food deliveries.

 

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