Russian-Held Crimea Suspends Civilian Fuel Sales as Ukrainian Strikes Deepen Energy Crisis

MOSCOW – Authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea have suspended civilian gasoline sales following a series of Ukrainian attacks on fuel infrastructure, marking a significant escalation in Kyiv’s campaign to disrupt Russian supply lines and energy logistics.

Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea, announced that fuel would be sold exclusively to government agencies responsible for security and essential services. The restriction was imposed after overnight Ukrainian strikes reportedly killed four people and injured 28 others on the Black Sea peninsula.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had targeted a major oil depot in Crimea and an oil transport facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region, describing the operations as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” strategy aimed at weakening Russia’s war infrastructure. Russian officials also reported a fire at an oil terminal near the Kerch Strait following a drone attack.

Crimea has been experiencing its most severe fuel shortage since Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014. Recent Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries, fuel depots, pipelines and transport routes have disrupted supplies, triggering long queues at petrol stations, fuel rationing measures and panic buying among residents.

The latest developments highlight Ukraine’s growing ability to strike strategic targets far from the front lines. In recent days, Ukrainian drones have also targeted oil facilities in mainland Russia, including refineries supplying fuel to Moscow and other regions, increasing pressure on Russia’s energy sector and military logistics.

The fuel restrictions in Crimea underscore the broader impact of the conflict on Russia’s occupied territories and raise fresh concerns over energy security and civilian supply chains as the war enters its fifth year.