Russia, the 'petrol station country' where gasoline is scarce: "We may run out of bread"

Russia, once dubbed the “gasoline country,” is now facing a severe fuel shortage, with citizens struggling to fill their tanks and some even warning they could run out of bread. The situation has escalated dramatically over the past year, revealing cracks in the nation’s economic resilience and public trust in leadership. In Moscow, long lines have formed at gas stations, with some drivers waiting over an hour for a few liters of fuel. In other parts of the country, gas stations remain open but offer only diesel or nothing at all. The crisis has spread beyond the periphery, reaching the heart of the capital, where the government had previously claimed stability would prevail. The fuel shortages began as a consequence of Western sanctions imposed after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Over time, these restrictions have intensified, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian attacks on refineries, storage facilities, and supply routes have further disrupted the already fragile energy infrastructure. As a result, fuel rationing measures have been introduced in more than 40 regions, with local authorities imposing limits on how much gasoline or diesel individuals can purchase. Some areas have restricted sales to 15 liters per vehicle, while others have set caps as low as 30 liters. In cities such as Samara, drivers are limited to 40 liters of gasoline and 100 liters of diesel for personal vehicles during two-week periods. The crisis has led to widespread frustration among ordinary Russians, who are increasingly turning to informal networks to secure fuel. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for complaints, with images circulating of long queues, makeshift portable toilets near gas stations, and police officers managing orderly lines. In some cases, armed guards, referred to locally as “cosacks”, have been deployed to prevent disputes over fuel access. Despite official efforts to maintain order, reports suggest that certain groups, including government officials and public employees, are receiving preferential treatment, bypassing the queues entirely. This has fueled anger among civilians, many of whom feel the war’s impact is being disproportionately borne by them. The Russian government has maintained its narrative of control, insisting that the fuel shortages are temporary and a result of external pressures rather than internal mismanagement. However, recent polls indicate growing discontent with President Vladimir Putin. According to data from the state-run VTsIOM polling institute, confidence in Putin dropped by 3.4 percentage points in just one week, reaching 73.3%. This decline marks the fastest drop in support since the start of the war. Many Russians blame the president directly, though they often avoid naming him explicitly. One resident in southern Russia, Ksenia, a real estate agent, expressed her frustration by saying, “Everything is because of the idiot,” referring to Putin. The fuel crisis has also exposed deepening inequalities within the system. While the majority of citizens face daily hardships, certain privileged sectors continue to operate with relative ease. Reports suggest that some government workers and affiliated entities are able to obtain fuel without adhering to the strict limits imposed on the general population. These disparities have contributed to a sense of injustice and resentment, further eroding public morale. As the situation continues to evolve, the government faces mounting pressure to address both the immediate logistical challenges and the underlying social tensions. With fuel supplies dwindling and public patience wearing thin, the coming weeks will likely see further adjustments to the current policies. Whether these changes will alleviate the crisis or exacerbate it remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the once-mighty “gasoline country” is now grappling with a reality far removed from its former image of abundance and power.