Officials in Crimea, under Russian control, have stopped selling gasoline to civilians as Ukraine intensified attacks on fuel sources in the region. Sergey Aksyonov, the appointed leader of Crimea, reported that Ukrainian strikes resulted in four deaths and 28 injuries. Aksyonov announced on social media that gas stations would only provide fuel to government agencies responsible for Crimea’s operations and security.
The ongoing targeting of fuel supplies by Ukrainian forces has led to a severe energy crisis in Crimea, following its annexation by Russia in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian strikes targeted a Crimean oil depot and an oil transport facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region as part of their sanctions against Russian energy infrastructure.
Russian authorities in Krasnodar disclosed that a drone attack caused a fire at a Black Sea oil terminal in Chushka, with additional strikes hitting a ferry, resulting in one casualty. The situation has left motorists struggling to find fuel, with the crisis being the most severe since the annexation. Measures such as limiting gas sales to 20 liters per vehicle per week and launching hotlines for trapped tourists have been implemented.
In response to the challenges, some motorists are bringing gas from other regions via the Kerch bridge, with restrictions on the amount allowed per vehicle. However, there have been reports of speculators selling gas at inflated prices. The Kremlin has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and pledged swift action. Despite this, Ukraine’s successful attacks have demonstrated its ability to impact Russia significantly, leading to a shift in the conflict dynamics.