At least four Russian regions have introduced preferential fuel service for government employees, local journalists and residents reported, as a nationwide gasoline shortage forces drivers to wait for hours.
At a Rosneft gas station in Saratov, fuel is now sold only to emergency services — including the Emergencies Ministry, ambulances and police — and to state employees. Reporters from the outlet TVSAR said they witnessed a district administration employee, drivers of a Multifunctional Center vehicle and a Russian Post car refueling. One customer gave the password: 'Government'.
In Volgograd, a Gazprom station is selling gasoline only to holders of fuel cards, which a station employee said are paid for by the local administration, hospitals and the police.
In Krasnodar, a Rosneft station on Zakharova Street requires customers to present a government employee ID to buy fuel.
On the M‑5 highway between Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, a Rosneft station gives priority to emergency services and officials.
The fuel shortage followed Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries in several Russian regions. According to Novaya Gazeta Europe, the attacks removed 2.7 million tons of gasoline from the market — roughly one month's national consumption. Almost all regions have imposed restrictions on fuel sales.
Russian authorities say the shortage is not critical. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the domestic market is 'supplied with gasoline'.