In a sharp escalation of pressure on the occupied Crimea, Russian‑backed authorities have halted all public fuel sales amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks aimed at oil infrastructure.
The move follows a month‑long campaign that has already forced fuel rationing across the peninsula due to supply disruptions. Governor Sergey Aksyonov announced that fuel would be supplied solely to state agencies, citing the need to “safeguard Crimea’s functioning and security.”
The directive comes after a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot in Kerch overnight, which killed four people and injured 28. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack a “just response” to Russia’s aggression.
Experts warn that the ban could exacerbate shortages for residents and tourists who depend on gasoline for travel, especially as Crimea remains a major holiday destination for Russians.
Ukraine continues to target Russian fuel export infrastructure, aiming to choke off revenue streams and apply pressure on President Vladimir Putin for negotiations, but the Kremlin has rebuffed requests for talks.
This development marks a significant escalation in the humanitarian impact of the conflict, signalling how the war increasingly intrudes into everyday life for civilians in occupied zones.
