Authorities in Primorsky Krai have imposed limits on fuel sales for cargo trucks. Heavy vehicles can now buy no more than 100 liters within city limits and no more than 200 liters on highways. The measure was announced by regional deputy prime minister Vladimir Malyushitsky.
Malyushitsky said the caps were introduced because dishonest buyers load large amounts of fuel into trucks, then drive away, drain it, and return to refuel again.
The region is also keeping in place an earlier restriction on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel in canisters. At the same time, the regional government official said Primorye is fully supplied with fuel for the summer season.
He added that all of the new restrictions would be lifted once panic buying subsides. Officials described the steps as temporary.
Russia’s fuel crisis, which began after Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on oil refineries, has spread to almost every region of the country. In some regions, limits on gasoline and diesel sales were introduced by authorities; elsewhere, gas stations imposed their own caps. Long lines have formed at many filling stations.
On June 28, Vladimir Putin held a meeting on fuel supplies and acknowledged that lines at gas stations exist and that the required grade of gasoline cannot always be found. He later said there is a fuel shortage, but described it as temporary and not critical.