Fuel shortages have become a growing reality across Russia, reaching regions far from the Ukrainian border and disrupting daily life in ways not seen in decades. The shortages, which began in Russian-occupied Crimea in May, have since spread to mainland Russia, including Siberia, and have resulted in long lines, rationing, and rising prices at gas stations nationwide.

Alyona Sadovnikova, a resident of Irkutsk in eastern Siberia, recounted waiting 18 hours in line before she was able to refuel her vehicle. “I was horrified: Are we in the Soviet Union now, where you had to get coupons to buy sausage?” she said, describing her first encounter with ration coupons at gas stations in mid-June. She and her husband, along with their toddler, spent long hours in queues, relying on the kindness of others in similarly difficult circumstances.

The shortages are linked to intensified Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure. Several refineries, including the Moscow Oil Refinery and a major facility in Tatarstan, about 600 miles east of Moscow, have been forced to shut down for extended repairs. These refineries collectively produce around 10 percent of Russia’s gasoline capacity. The shutdowns have created a ripple effect, particularly in highly populated areas around Moscow and other large cities.

Russian authorities have acknowledged the severity of the problem, with some officials indicating that they are exploring options to import oil—an unusual step for the world’s third-largest oil producer. In Novorossiysk, a key Black Sea port and Russia’s largest oil export terminal, gasoline sales to individuals were suspended to manage dwindling supplies. In the Krasnodar region, one of Russia’s largest, approximately one-third of gas stations have ceased operations due to shortages, according to local officials.

The shortage has had tangible economic effects. Although the government has subsidized oil companies to keep prices affordable, fuel costs have steadily risen. Independent stations in Grozny, Chechnya’s capital, reported prices climbing from about 70 rubles ($0.90) to nearly 100 rubles ($1.30) per liter. State-owned gas stations, such as those operated by Rosneft, have maintained lower prices but often require motorists to endure long waits. Some drivers have traveled to neighboring regions for cheaper fuel, facing rationing limits.

The disruptions have also impacted transportation services. Reports indicate that up to 20 percent of taxi drivers have chosen not to work due to the time lost in fueling queues. Motorists on major highways between Moscow and St. Petersburg have been observed lining up at the few stations with available gas. This scenario is unprecedented for many Russians, particularly those born after the Soviet era, who are unaccustomed to such shortages.

The Irkutsk region has been one of the hardest hit, prompting local authorities to declare a state of high alert and to install portable toilets along congested highways to serve stranded motorists. The crisis has tested the government’s ability to maintain normalcy and manage acute disruptions, according to analysts.

While fuel scarcity has become a visible strain on everyday life, it has also sparked moments of levity, with some Russians sharing humorous posts imagining horses as a new option in ride-hailing apps. Nonetheless, for many, the challenge remains serious as they attempt to conserve fuel and hope for improved supplies in the coming weeks.