Siberian oblasts introduce gasoline sale limits to combat growing fuel crisis

Omsk Oblast also introduced restrictions on the sale of diesel fuel: 80 liters per fill-up at regular gas stations and 200 liters on highways.

"Irkutsk Oblast Head Igor Kobzev said on June 22 that the oblast is forced to switch to manual operation — determining fuel volumes for each recipient individually," Radio Liberty reported.

Novosibirsk Oblast Governor Andrey Travnikov stated on the morning of June 23 that fuel sales would have to be restricted within his oblast because limits on gasoline and diesel were introduced in neighboring oblasts.

The Moscow Times earlier reported that six Russian oblasts introduced restrictions on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel within a single day amid a fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on oil refining and transport infrastructure.

Fuel sale restrictions in Russia

On June 1, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian attacks had already struck 15 Russian oil refineries since the beginning of 2026. Almost 40% of Russia's primary oil refining capacity was disabled as of May.

On June 13, Russian opposition publication Novaya Gazeta wrote that large networks of gas stations had begun restricting fuel sales in several Russian oblasts, including in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Tatarstan.

The strictest limitations were recorded at Tatneft gas stations. In Moscow, the network dispenses no more than 20 liters of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline, as well as up to 40 liters of diesel fuel per vehicle. At the same time, Tatneft restricted gasoline sales in all oblasts where it operates.

Similar limits — up to 20 liters of gasoline and 40 liters of diesel per person — were introduced at Tatneft gas stations in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Energy Committee is attempting to calm the population, claiming that "there are no prerequisites for a shortage of fuel resources."

Fuel crisis in Russia is unfolding gradually: the border and southern oblasts of Russia, particularly Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, and Rostov oblasts, as well as occupied Crimea and other territories seized by the enemy, were the first to face an acute shortage of petroleum products and a rapid surge in retail prices.