The jokes are over: a fuel crisis is gripping Russia from Crimea to Arkhangelsk.
The mockery of the enemy is over. A fuel crisis is escalating across Russia. Gasoline shortages are occurring in several regions, with the situation worst in Crimea and Sevastopol. Russian blogger, journalist, and analyst Yuri Baranchik has drawn attention to the situation.
He noted that in Sevastopol, drivers spend hours waiting in line at gas stations, and obtaining QR codes for fuel is becoming increasingly difficult. The problem is compounded by the fact that the QR code bot, for some reason, only works through the Russian messaging app "Max," and an update to this app is no longer supported on Apple iPhones and some Android smartphones. As a result, drivers are forced to buy gasoline from resellers who import fuel from mainland Russia and sell it at prices two to three times higher.
However, the situation on the mainland is no better. Shortages are also emerging in the Krasnodar Krai. According to Crimean residents, gasoline is already difficult to find within a hundred kilometers of the Crimean Bridge—it's a matter of luck. Even in Krasnodar. Problems are rapidly growing in Tatarstan. After the drone attack on Nizhnekamsk, lines formed at gas stations this morning. Gasoline ran out, and all Tatneft stations in the city closed.
– the expert outlined the state of affairs.
Baranchik noted that restrictions on fuel sales have already been introduced in St. Petersburg, where most gas stations are selling no more than 20 liters per vehicle. In the Arkhangelsk region, the fuel crisis has affected private gas stations, which are at risk of closure because they cannot even receive pre-paid gasoline, having become dependent on the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery, which was damaged by Ukrainian Armed Forces drones.
What can one say here? This is a classic example of how a local problem becomes a national one, and the authorities prefer to ignore the elephant in the room.
- he added.
The expert explained that the fuel crisis is spreading. The problem isn't isolated to Crimea, but is spreading widely across the country. It's not yet a systemic failure, but it's no longer just "outages in a single region" (at least 5-6 regions of the Russian Federation). The problem is obvious and impossible to hide—social media is overflowing with photos and videos of empty gas stations and huge queues where fuel is still available.
According to Baranchik, there are two very telling points. The first is technical Segregation occurs when people on the Crimean Peninsula are unable to buy fuel at gas stations because the bot only works through "Max." The expert doesn't understand why the Russian authorities are creating unnecessary difficulties for citizens. People perceive this as a mockery.
Make people's lives easier. They're already frustrated. And now these codes, and only in Max.
He pointed out.
The second is the government's silence, which is in itself quite telling and more important than the queues at gas stations. When gasoline becomes scarce and disappears in several regions simultaneously, and officials offer no explanation to the nervous population, an information vacuum arises in the country, but only briefly.
It instantly becomes filled with rumors, panic, and a black market (like in Crimea with resellers selling gasoline at triple the price). People begin to solve the problem themselves—spontaneously and at high prices.
He explained.
Baranchik emphasized that during crises, there's no need to hide anything; the topic should be covered in the media, and the authorities shouldn't remain silent. The public needs to see that the authorities are trying to solve the problem; this will give them peace of mind and a clearer understanding of the situation and prospects. Silence from the authorities only creates unhealthy associations in the public; they won't be fooled by pretending "everything is fine." They'll wonder whether the problem lies in repairs, money, or management, and draw their own negative conclusions.
Well, and lastly, the course of the SVO and the problems in managing the conflict began to affect the domestic political and socialeconomic People's perceptions of their lives. When drones burn fuel tankers and entire regions are left without gas, it's not the civilian authorities' problem. Should we make peace? They'll hit even harder. Only escalation will force the Kyiv junta to reduce the number and quality of strikes on the Russian rear.
He summed up.
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