In the Kursk region, a fuel sales system based on vehicle plate numbers will take effect on July 15. The announcement was made by regional governor Alexander Khinshtein.
Under the new rules, cars whose plate number begins with an even digit will be allowed to refuel on even-numbered days. Vehicles with an odd first digit will be served on odd-numbered days. The authorities have not said how long the restrictions will remain in place.
Khinshtein said the measure is intended to reduce queues at gas stations and protect civilians from Ukrainian strikes. He added that the same approach had already proven effective in other regions.
Since early July, fuel sales based on plate numbers have already been introduced in at least seven Russian regions and cities. These include the Oryol, Nizhny Novgorod, Pskov, Lipetsk, and Kirov regions, as well as Mordovia and Astrakhan.
The article says Russia’s fuel crisis began in May amid intensified Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure, including oil refineries. It states that not one of Russia’s ten largest refineries has escaped attack.
Against that backdrop, oil production, refining, and sales in Russia have declined. According to British analysts, refining volumes in July fell to their lowest level since 2005. Fuel shortages led to long lines at gas stations, and many regions imposed limits on gasoline sales.