Photo: Yandex Maps
Starting May 31, gas stations in annexed Crimea temporarily introduced voucher-only gasoline sales. This was announced by Sergey Aksyonov, the Russia-appointed head of the republic.
Details. According to Aksyonov, AI-95 gasoline will be supplied on a priority basis to municipal and social transport, and at ATAN and TES gas stations it will be available only by vouchers. AI-92 may be purchased in volumes of no more than 20 liters per vehicle. Filling canisters with fuel is prohibited.
Aksyonov said the fuel situation may return to normal within 30 days. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-appointed “governor” of Sevastopol, said the restrictions are necessary to replenish fuel reserves at gas stations.
Previous restrictions. The day before, the Russia-appointed authorities of Crimea imposed limits on AI-95 gasoline sales at gas stations — no more than 20 liters per person once per day. Against this backdrop, queues formed at gas stations in Crimea yesterday.
Reasons. The fuel shortage in Crimea emerged amid attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Novorossiya highway, which connects Rostov-on-Don and Simferopol. Earlier, Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russia-appointed head of the annexed part of Zaporizhzhia region, said that to block vehicle traffic, the Armed Forces of Ukraine remotely mine the road: drones drop an explosive device that later detonates when movement is detected.