The government of Russia's Altai Republic has introduced a new fuel sales order, banning refueling the same vehicle more than once every 24 hours, Meduza reported, citing the regional cabinet. Previously, the limit reset at midnight, allowing drivers to fill up twice in a short span — before midnight and immediately after. To stop this practice, the countdown now starts from the moment of each car's last refueling, The Moscow Times clarified.
Exceptions are made for agricultural producers, emergency and operational services — they may refuel additionally between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.
The strictest limits apply in Gorno-Altaysk, Mayminsky, Turochaksky, Chemalsky and Choysky districts: no more than 30 liters of gasoline and 50 liters of diesel per day. In other municipalities, the cap is 50 liters of gasoline and 100 liters of diesel. Fuel is dispensed only upon presentation of the vehicle registration certificate, and operators enter the car's license plate into a special system to prevent repeat refueling.
According to Rosstat data as of July 20, a liter of AI-92 gasoline in the region cost just over 75.2 rubles, AI-95 — 77.9 rubles, diesel — about 91.7 rubles.
Retail fuel sales in Altai are restricted until September 1. On July 25, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the situation in the region remains difficult and the government is discussing additional fuel deliveries to Altai, Yakutia, Irkutsk Oblast, Zabaikalsky and Altai krais — to "stabilize the situation faster," The Moscow Times wrote.