Sergei Aksyonov, the head of Russia-controlled Crimea, said on Thursday that disruptions in fuel supplies were related to the closure of some oil refineries as a gasoline crisis widened across Russia.

Several Russian regions were seeing shortages of certain fuel grades as Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced refinery runs, while high borrowing costs mean private filling stations can’t afford to stockpile fuel, traders and retailers said.

“Due to the fact that some of the plants are physically not working, we have experienced problems and interruptions with fuel,” Aksyonov said on a video posted on his Telegram channel, without saying the plants were attacked by Ukrainian drones.

There were no large queues forming at fuel stations, but certain grades of gasoline are frequently absent.

“Within two days, gasoline stations are expected to be supplied with the required amount of Ai 95 gasoline. The availability of Ai 92 gasoline will be resolved within two weeks,” he said.

Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin said on Tuesday that further restrictions on fuel exports were possible if needed, the Interfax news agency reported.
Source: Reuters