Petrol stations closing en masse in Crimea

Petrol stations have begun closing en masse in temporarily occupied Crimea, including those belonging to major chains.

Source: Krym.Realii (Crimea.Realities), a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty project

Details: Due to issues with fuel supplies to the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula, petrol stations are shutting down en masse, even those operated by major companies such as TES and ATAN.

This trend is expected to continue, as the situation with fuel supplies in Crimea is likely to deteriorate further.

"Just last week, many petrol stations were still operating, albeit without fuel, and motorists were joking gloomily, saying: 'Your display is showing a price of zero roubles for all the petrol – so it must be free!' But this week it's no longer a laughing matter – petrol stations have started closing en masse across Crimea," said an ATAN employee, speaking on condition of anonymity.

As he said, staff are either being sent on unpaid leave or dismissed.

All fuel companies in Crimea are suffering huge losses, which is leading to cost-cutting measures being implemented amid a prolonged fuel shortage on the peninsula, Krym.Realii reports.

Background:

• Rostov-based airline Azimut has raised the alarm over an acute shortage of aviation fuel in the southern regions of Russia.
• Earlier, in Crimea, petrol sales were completely restricted "for several days": it was promised that fuel would still be available using previously purchased vouchers, but officials at each petrol station would monitor whether anyone exceeded the limit (over 20 litres per person).
• The authorities in temporarily occupied Crimea have admitted that they do not know when petrol and diesel sales will resume on the peninsula, saying that fuel supplies are being "regulated" by Ukraine's Armed Forces.

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