Moscow, St Petersburg Forced To Limit Gas Sales After Ukraine Fuel Attacks

One of the Kremlin's goals in continuing to pursue the increasingly stymied invasion of Ukraine was to insulate the residents of its two most important cities, Moscow and St Petersburg, from the impact of the conflict. That is no longer possible due to Ukrainian long range drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure whose capacity has been significantly reduced. 

The implication is that, despite his disdain for public opinion, Putin must now at least pay attention to - if not yet worry about - the growing pressure that inconvenience combined with economic impact brings to support for his war. JL

The Kyiv Post reports:

Following recent Ukrainian drone strikes on key oil facilities, Russian media reported some Tatneft-operated gas stations in Moscow limited sales of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline to 20 liters (5 gallons) per customer and diesel fuel to 40 liters (10 gallons) per customer. Other major retailers imposed similar restrictions. Rosneft capped purchases at 90 liters (24 gallons) per vehicle or container, while Lukoil limited sales to 100 liters (26 gallons) per transaction. Similar measures were introduced at gas stations in St. Petersburg.

Fuel stations across several Russian regions have begun restricting gasoline and diesel sales following recent Ukrainian drone strikes on key oil facilities, according to regional reports.

On Sunday, Russian media outlets reported that some Tatneft-operated gas stations in Moscow limited sales of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline to 20 liters (5 gallons) per customer and diesel fuel to 40 liters (10 gallons) per customer.

Other major retailers imposed similar restrictions. Rosneft reportedly capped purchases at 90 liters (24 gallons) per vehicle or container, while Lukoil limited sales to 100 liters (26 gallons) per transaction. 

Restrictions beyond Moscow

Similar measures were introduced at Tatneft gas stations in St. Petersburg, where customers were likewise limited to 20 liters (5 gallons) of gasoline and 40 liters (10 gallons) of diesel. 

In Tatarstan, officials confirmed that temporary limits had also been put in place, describing them as a precaution to prevent “artificial panic” and maintain market stability.

However, some local authorities sought to reassure consumers, with St. Petersburg’s energy committee saying there were no signs of fuel shortages.

Attacks target Russia’s refining sector

The restrictions follow a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on major oil-processing facilities.

On Friday, drones reportedly targeted the Taneco refinery – one of Russia’s largest – and the TAIF-NK refinery in Nizhnekamsk, both key assets in the country’s refining sector. 

Investigative outlet Vazhnye Istorii reported that Tatneft had introduced fuel-sale restrictions across all regions where the company operates.

On Saturday, a coordinated joint operation by Ukraine’s intelligence and special operations branches inflicted severe structural damage on the largest hydrocarbon transshipment complex in southern Russia, knocking out vital fuel infrastructure and air defense systems protecting it.

Ukrainian forces also carried out a long-range overnight drone strike targeting the Kotovo district, hitting an oil processing and pumping facility near the settlement of Yefimovka. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the operations, calling them “good results.”

“There are good results from our warriors in applying long-range sanctions against important targets on the territory of Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote.