Putin Arrests Russians for Complaining about Fuel Shortages

Thursday, August 20, 2026

The IndependentRussian police have arrested citizens complaining of fuel shortages at the pump, as Ukraine's drone campaign sparked fighting at petrol stations and rationing. Moscow and its surrounding regions have been forced to reimpose purchase limits on fuel, capping sales at between 50 and 60 litres per vehicle. As Ukraine intensifies its "deep strike" campaign, hitting another major oil refinery on Wednesday, the strain on Russia's domestic energy grid continues to grow. Across at least 12 regions, miles of gridlocked traffic now stall forecourts, with motorists waiting up to 30 hours only to find the pumps empty.

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The monitoring app Gdebenz put nationwide petrol availability at 28% of filling stations on Wednesday, down from 41% a week earlier.

Fuel restrictions -- including limits on the volume sold per customer, QR-based rationing and odd-even number plate schemes -- were in place in nearly all regions as of last Saturday, according to Benzinmap, which tracks restrictions and prices nationwide.

Gazprom Neft filling stations in Moscow set a temporary cap of 40 litres per fill-up. Tatneft capped petrol at 50 litres and diesel at 60. By Wednesday, the Yandex Fuel service showed AI-92 petrol available at just one in 10 stations in the capital.

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