Russia faces renewed fuel shortages as authorities tighten station controls

Gasoline supplies have become scarce again in several Russian regions during August, leading local authorities in at least ten areas to reimpose stricter controls on fuel sales at petrol stations, officials and regional media said.

Reuters witnesses reported on Monday that some stations in the Moscow region were unable to sell gasoline, although diesel remained largely available.

The shortage follows a broader fuel supply strain that began in May and expanded nationwide by July, after a series of drone attacks damaged multiple refineries and seasonal demand rose.

In response, the government banned gasoline and diesel exports, lowered quality standards and increased imports of petroleum products, which helped stabilise the market by the end of July.

However, a second series of drone attacks on refineries in late July and early August triggered renewed restrictions. Energy officials said the supply situation remained challenging in regions including Orenburg, Lipetsk, Tver, Krasnodar, Zabaykalsky, Primorsky, Krasnoyarsk, Oryol, Tuva and Khakassia.

Data from the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange showed gasoline sales fell about 20% in early August compared with the second half of July.