Government officials get priority gasoline access in at least four Russian regions amid fuel crisis
In at least four Russian regions, government officials are receiving priority access to gasoline while ordinary drivers face long queues, according to media reports. The fuel shortage is linked to Ukrainian drone attacks on oil facilities, though authorities insist the market is well-supplied.
Russian government officials are receiving priority access to gasoline in at least four regions during the ongoing fuel crisis, the independent outlet 7×7 reported.
In Saratov, where gasoline sales restrictions have been extended until July 15, a Rosneft station is serving only official vehicles, according to local outlet Vzgliad-info. The preference goes beyond emergency services: an employee of a district administration, along with drivers for the MFC (multifunctional center) and Russian Post, were seen refueling. One visitor mentioned the password required for service: "Government." Journalists noted that no documents were requested at the station, though the general limit of 30 liters per vehicle per day still applies.
In Krasnodar, city council deputy Alexander Safronov posted subscriber videos on his Telegram channel showing a local Rosneft station selling gasoline only to government employees who present valid work IDs.
Readers of the Yekaterinburg-based outlet EAN described a similar situation at a Rosneft station on the Chelyabinsk–Yekaterinburg highway: ordinary customers are told there is no gasoline, but it is sold to government employees.
Volgograd's Bloknot reported that a Gazprom station denied a local resident fuel despite having it in stock, claiming it was sold only to fuel card holders. Such cards are available to anyone, but according to one customer, they are primarily used by emergency workers and local administration staff.
The fuel crisis, triggered by persistent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil facilities, has led to gasoline sales restrictions in nearly every region. Drivers wait hours in lines to fill up their cars.
Russian authorities maintain the shortage is not critical. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated the day before that the domestic market is "supplied with gasoline."
