The Oryol region has become the first Russian region to lift the temporary odd-even gasoline rationing system it introduced on July 4, Governor Andrei Klychkov said, adding that queues at gas stations have been absent for over a week. The system "proved its effectiveness and removed unjustified panic," Klychkov said.
However, fuel volume limits remain in place: no more than 30 liters per vehicle in cities and 50 liters on highways.
Independent media reported that at least eight Russian regions had introduced odd-even rationing since the fuel crisis began in mid-June. The crisis has been linked to Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure; according to the Financial Times, up to 40% of Russia's oil refining capacity may have been taken offline.
While Oryol lifts restrictions, other regions continue to impose them. Starting July 20, the Tambov region will begin selling gasoline based on the first digit of a vehicle's license plate, Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov announced.