Ukraine Increases Fuel Supply Attacks in Crimea, Leading to Gasoline Restrictions

In a move that underscores the ongoing tensions, officials in Russian-occupied Crimea have suspended civilian gasoline sales. This decision came after Ukraine intensified its attacks on fuel supplies in the region. Sergey Aksyonov, appointed by the Kremlin as the head of Crimea, reported that recent Ukrainian strikes resulted in four casualties and injured 28 others. However, he did not specify the exact target of these attacks.

Aksyonov announced on social media that gas stations in Crimea would stop selling fuel to private entities and individuals for an indefinite period. “Fuel will be available only to government agencies responsible for the functioning and security of the Republic of Crimea,” he explained. He urged the public to stay calm and rely solely on official information sources.

Recent weeks have seen Ukrainian forces targeting fuel supplies to Crimea, creating the most severe energy crisis in the region since its annexation by Russia in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a Crimean oil depot and a nearby oil transport facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region were among the targets. He characterized these actions as part of Ukraine’s strategic “long-range sanctions” against Russian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy emphasized that “Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is working for peace.”

In Krasnodar, Russian officials reported a drone strike on a Black Sea oil terminal in the village of Chushka which triggered a fire. A separate Ukrainian attack targeted a ferry, resulting in one fatality.

Ongoing Fuel Shortages Impact Drivers

The Crimean peninsula has periodically faced fuel shortages due to Ukrainian strikes, but the current situation is the most severe since 2014. Authorities previously limited gas sales to 20 liters per car owner per week, using prepaid coupons. These were quickly purchased on an official app, causing long queues at gas stations as drivers waited to refuel.

Social media has been flooded with tips on where to find fuel, and officials have set up a hotline for tourists stuck in the area. Some drivers are bringing fuel from Krasnodar and other locations via the Kerch bridge, though they are limited to 100 liters per vehicle. Opportunists are profiting by selling gas at double the usual market price.

The Kremlin has publicly acknowledged the extent of the crisis and promised swift action to address it. Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s efforts have demonstrated its capacity to inflict significant damage on Russia. Meanwhile, Russian military advancements have significantly slowed. Remarkably, by June 11, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine had reached 1,569 days, surpassing World War I in duration.