The shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel, which in late June 2026 led to the introduction of limits at fuel stations in more than 20 regions of Russia, has begun to ease. Over the week from July 28 to 30, authorities in several regions reported lifting or easing restrictions—the situation is gradually returning to the normal operating mode for fuel stations.
Zabaykalsky Krai: Complete Cancellation of the QR Code System
In Zabaykalsky Krai, the QR code system at fuel stations was canceled as of July 30, 2026—the regional Ministry of Housing and Utilities, Energy, Digitalization, and Communications reported that fuel stations have been switched to normal operation without prior fuel reservation. The decision is explained by accumulated reserves and stable supplies.
Omsk Oblast Lifts Fuel Sale Limits
On July 28, 2026, Omsk Oblast Governor Vitaly Khotsenko announced in his messenger channel on Max the complete lifting of fuel sale limits at fuel stations. Prior to this decision, the region had the following restrictions in place:
no more than 40 liters of gasoline per fill-up;
no more than 80 liters of diesel fuel;
on highway fuel stations, diesel was sold in volumes of up to 200 liters.
Saratov Oblast Increases Daily Limit
The operational headquarters of Saratov Oblast decided to raise the gasoline sales limit for individuals to 40 liters per day—previously the restriction was 30 liters. The decision was announced on July 28, 2026, by the region's governor, Roman Busargin, who had previously advocated for easing restrictions against the backdrop of a gradual stabilization of the fuel situation. Earlier, the regional authorities had recorded a stricter limit.
Samara Oblast: Restrictions Maintained Without Tightening
In Samara Oblast, the current restrictions—up to 40 liters of gasoline and up to 100 liters of diesel fuel for passenger cars, as well as a ban on dispensing into canisters—were extended without tightening. Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev noted the stabilization of the situation and a decrease in the number of queues at fuel stations as of the end of July 2026.
How the Fuel Crisis Began
Limits at fuel stations emerged against the backdrop of Ukrainian drone strikes on facilities of the fuel and energy complex—damage was sustained by the Moscow Oil Refinery and an oil depot in Krasnodar Krai, which disrupted supply logistics in the southern part of the country. Refineries operated at maximum capacity, scheduled repairs were postponed, gasoline exports were restricted from April 1 to July 31, and a complete ban on diesel exports was considered as a separate measure. Priority in supplies was given to agricultural producers.
At the peak of the crisis, limits were in effect in more than 20 regions:
in Saratov Oblast from June 23 to 30, no more than 30 liters of gasoline were dispensed per car;
in Omsk Oblast—up to 40 liters of gasoline and 80 liters of diesel in cities;
at Lukoil fuel stations in Voronezh Oblast—30 liters of gasoline and 60 liters of diesel in cities, on highways—60 and 200 liters respectively;
in Penza Oblast, filling up to 100 liters of gasoline and 200 liters of diesel was permitted;
in Samara and Kurgan Oblasts, limits of 40 liters of gasoline and 80–100 liters of diesel were in effect;
in Lipetsk Oblast from June 24 to 28—no more than 30 liters of gasoline.
Official agencies explained the limits at fuel stations as a tool to curb panic buying, which had increased by 20–30%. The geography of the restrictions—from Crimea to Irkutsk Oblast—was seen as a sign of the systemic nature of the problem. Against this backdrop, the option of purchasing fuel from China for eastern regions was also discussed. However, gasoline exports from China are strictly regulated by quotas for state-owned companies Sinopec and CNPC, and no large confirmed shipments across the land border have been recorded.
AI Opinion
From the perspective of machine data analysis, the easing of retail limits reflects stabilization at the sales/distribution level but does not eliminate the root cause of the shortage—the state of oil refining. According to Reuters agency calculations, drone attacks have disabled at least 17% of Russian oil refining capacity, or 1.1 million barrels per day—a scale comparable to the consequences of major sanctions restrictions in previous years.
Lifting limits in some regions while pressure on refining capacities persists creates a risk of a renewed round of restrictions already in the fall, if plant repairs fail to compensate for the lost volumes by the start of the heating season. Will the current stabilization prove sustainable, or will regions return to a regime of limits with the next wave of attacks?
