The fuel crisis in Russia has worsened so much that it is visible even from space. Moscow is struggling to temper the gasoline shortage, and Russians’ frustration is erupting on social media.
Targeted drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian refineries have caused a fuel crisis and brought Russians to despair. Huge queues have formed at gas stations, and drivers are expressing their frustration on social media, with many saying they are fed up and can no longer live in these conditions.
The fuel crisis has spread throughout Russia, with images of the kilometer-long lines at Russian gas stations spreading on social media.
The massive line of cars at a gas station in Transbaikal Territory was captured in a satellite image taken by Airbus on Friday morning.
Tears and Frustration on Social Media
Russians' dissatisfaction with the gas station queues and supply issues has erupted on social media. More and more people are filming themselves and expressing their frustration.
"Why on earth would anyone live here?! The internet is blocked, taxis no longer show up (…)," shouts a Russian woman while walking through Moscow.
A female driver filmed herself driving on the Moscow Ring Road in search of fuel, which is now being sold for the equivalent of about $1.30 per liter. She recounted that she had visited 15 gas stations and found no gasoline.
A man decided to check if the fuel-related issues in Russia are real or just an artificial theme. When he arrived at a gas station, he realized that the situation was indeed extremely serious. "It's not an artificial fuel crisis in the country — we are finished. It will take a very long time for the refineries to resume operations," he said in a video recording.
One of the few solutions authorities have implemented is to allow refineries across the country to produce lower-quality Euro-3 and even Euro-2 fuels, banned in Russia in 2013, according to Kommersant newspaper.
A video posted on X demonstrates the poor quality of this fuel:
Vladimir Putin stated that Russia intends to increase production and "minimize the impact" of Ukrainian attacks on the energy infrastructure.
However, a mayor from the Irkutsk region took a different approach: he asked residents of the region to stop using cars unless absolutely necessary due to the fuel shortage.
"Imagine an entire week without gasoline anywhere in the city. Then we will truly understand how serious the situation is," said Pavel Berezovski, the leader of the Nizhneilimsky district in Russia.
Will Russians Revolt?
More and more Russians are daring to take a stand and reproach Vladimir Putin in video messages for the disastrous situation in Russia.
Former Ukrainian official Anton Gerashchenko, however, believes that there will be no revolt in Russia due to the gasoline crisis. He points out that even internet shutdowns did not lead to protests.
One explanation is that Russians are accustomed to poverty, lack of rights, and humiliation. "They are intimidated and quite marginalized. Like slaves. Television, a bottle of vodka, and war are enough to keep them satisfied," he wrote on the X platform.
What Will Happen in Russia Next
A change of power could occur following an agreement among elites if they decide that Putin is no longer suitable. "But Putin has already 'cleaned up' the opposition and moved on to purging his own 'friends' and inner circle." A war between clans is raging in the Kremlin behind the scenes – not just for resources, but for survival," Gerashchenko points out.
The gasoline crisis will inevitably be followed by a food crisis, he estimates. Without fuel, crops cannot be harvested, and food cannot be distributed. Therefore, prices will rise.
"Then mobilization will follow. Yes, Russia is heading for collapse and will fall. Yes, Putin is leading it to total chaos. Internal processes of disintegration have already begun. But this will not happen tomorrow. Unfortunately," concludes Gerashchenko.
T.D.