Free sale of gasoline suspended in Crimea

Authorities in Crimea halted gasoline sales and the distribution of fuel vouchers for the foreseeable future, as the peninsula faces a worsening shortage blamed on Ukrainian drone attacks along a key stretch of highway used to supply the region.

“Starting today, cash sales of gasoline will be completely suspended for several days,” Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed governor of Crimea, said in a post on Telegram.

Aksyonov, who warned earlier this week that the local gasoline shortage could last at least until July, also said that fuel vouchers introduced as a rationing measure are no longer available and “will not be reissued in the near future.”

Drivers who already hold valid vouchers will face a strict purchase cap of 20 liters (5.28 gallons) per vehicle. To prevent hoarding, officials will be deployed to every gas station and keep a record of license plates for all vehicles refueling with a voucher.

“These measures will remain in effect for a few days, and we will provide daily updates as the situation evolves,” Aksyonov said.