The Biggest Crisis Since 1991: Crimea Without Fuel
Text: Olesya Krasnolutska, June 1, 2026, 19:03
Photo: Russian media
Crimea is experiencing a shortage of gasoline.
Restrictions on retail sales of gasoline and diesel are observed in Crimea, as well as in the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions.
The fuel crisis in Russian-occupied Crimea has led to the most extensive introduction of fuel coupons since the collapse of the USSR, reported Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhiy Sternenko.
"Gasoline coupons were first introduced in 1989, shortly before the collapse of the USSR. Since then, Russians have switched to them only a few times at the level of individual cities, but a crisis of this scale has occurred for the first time since 1991," he wrote.
How the Situation Developed
As early as May 30, Crimean gas stations imposed restrictions on fuel sales to 20 liters of AI-95 gasoline per person per day. Representatives of the local "Ministry of Fuel and Energy" stated that this type of gasoline had already run out at most gas stations.
Similar restrictions had been in effect in Sevastopol for a long time. On May 22, coupons for diesel fuel were introduced there, and gasoline sales were limited to 20 liters per person.
On May 29, the so-called "governor" Mykhailo Razvozhayev reported the "temporary" disappearance of AI-92 and AI-95 and a shortage of diesel fuel.
What is Happening Now
Recall that on Sunday, May 31, a coupon system for gasoline came into effect in Crimea. Restrictions on retail fuel sales are also observed in the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions.
The Moscow-appointed head of occupied Crimea, Serhiy Aksyonov, announced that AI-95 gasoline would be sold mainly for municipal and social transport. For other consumer categories, fuel can only be purchased with coupons.
For AI-92 gasoline, a limit of no more than 20 liters per vehicle has been set. At the same time, the sale of fuel in canisters is completely prohibited. Aksyonov promised that the fuel shortage situation in Crimea is planned to be stabilized within a month.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes
The main reason for the fuel shortage in Crimea is the successful strikes by Ukrainian drones on the so-called "Novorossiya" highway. The R-280 highway runs from Rostov-on-Don through the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Simferopol and is one of the key logistics routes for fuel supplies to Crimea.
It is worth noting that the Russians deliver very little gasoline and diesel to Crimea by sea, and up to 100 liters of permitted liquids can be transported via the Crimean Bridge, including fuel in canisters. Such restrictions are in place for safety reasons, the occupation authorities claim.
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"Logistics Lockdown"
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that the Ukrainian military is implementing a strategy of "logistics lockdown" against the Russian army. According to him, the goal of these actions is to increase pressure on the occupiers' logistics and reduce their ability to conduct active offensive operations.
Meanwhile, the Russian-appointed "head of the occupation administration" of part of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevhen Balytskyi, reported on May 29 that Ukrainian forces are allegedly using a complex system of remote mining. According to him, drones drop explosive devices that can detonate when vehicles pass over them. In light of this, he called on residents to temporarily limit movement unless absolutely necessary.
Additionally, the so-called governor of the occupied Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo, signed a decree on May 22 temporarily restricting truck traffic on the Novorossiya highway towards the administrative border with Crimea through the Dzhankoy checkpoint. This restriction is likely related to successful strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Russian logistics facilities in the south.
