Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea, has announced new limits on gasoline sales on the annexed peninsula.
Effective immediately, motorists will be allowed to buy no more than 30 liters (eight gallons) of gasoline at a time. “I ask Crimeans not to stock up on gas and to refuel their vehicles as usual,” Aksyonov said.
He added that the regional Energy Ministry’s website will publish the addresses of gas stations where fuel is available. Officials have also imposed price caps.
The restrictions follow a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, many of which have partially suspended operations. That has driven up fuel prices and created shortages, prompting the federal government to temporarily ban gasoline exports.
Until now, no region controlled by Russia had limited gasoline sales to private individuals. The outlet The Bell noted that the situation in Crimea is further complicated by bad weather near the Kerch Strait ferry crossing, which has severely disrupted deliveries.