Officials in Crimea, under Russian occupation, suspended civilian gasoline sales following intense Ukrainian attacks targeting fuel supplies on the peninsula. Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed governor, announced that Ukrainian strikes killed four and injured 28 overnight, yet details of the specific attack remain unclear. Gas stations ceased sales to non-state entities, reserving fuel for government agencies crucial to maintaining the security of Crimea. ‘Remain calm and trust official sources,’ Aksyonov urged the public.
Ukrainian forces have intensified strikes on Crimean fuel supplies in recent weeks, causing an unprecedented energy crisis since Russia’s illegal annexation in 2014. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a Crimean oil depot and a facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region were among the targeted sites. These strikes are part of Ukraine’s strategy termed ‘long-range sanctions,’ aiming to weaken Russia’s energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of strength in achieving peace.
Meanwhile, Russian officials reported that drone attacks ignited a fire at an oil terminal in Chushka, alongside a strike on a ferry resulting in one fatality. Crimean motorists are grappling with severe fuel shortages. Previously, at the end of May, restrictions limited gas purchases to 20 liters weekly per vehicle, leading to long queues and rapidly depleted prepaid coupons.
Social media platforms buzz with advice on fuel sources, and authorities have initiated a hotline aiding trapped tourists. Some motorists haul fuel from Krasnodar, crossing the Kerch bridge, yet face limits of 100 liters per vehicle. Speculative sellers exploit the situation, offering fuel at exorbitant prices.
In a rare public gesture, the Kremlin acknowledged the crisis’s severity and committed to prompt solutions. The ongoing Ukrainian strikes showcase its capability to inflict substantial impact on Russia, potentially altering the conflict’s trajectory as Russian advances slow to a halt.
On June 11, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine marked the 1,569th day, exceeding World War I’s duration.