Overview

• Crimea will increase the number of stations selling fuel in free sale from October 10, with a further expansion from October 20, while a 20‑liter retail limit per person stays in place.
• Regional leader Sergey Aksyonov said the peninsula’s demand for light petroleum products should be fully covered by the end of October.
• Supply disruptions span at least 10 Russian regions with prices climbing, with reports of up to 38% of refining capacity idle and independent stations hit hardest as producers prioritize their own networks.
• Federal messaging diverges as Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev suggests shortages could last about a month, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak says the situation is under control, and tariff relief has been granted for some fuel imports.
• Local strain continues in places like Biysk, where officials blamed a demand surge for temporary gasoline stockouts and reported that replenishment is under way.