In Sevastopol, gasoline has become five times more expensive than in Moscow

The fuel crisis has worsened in annexed Crimea and Sevastopol. Amid the fuel shortage, gasoline prices have risen sharply, and the Russian occupation authorities have imposed restrictions on its sale using QR codes.

This was reported by Krym.Realii, citing Russian statistics.

According to official data, in June 2026, Sevastopol became the most expensive region in the Russian Federation in terms of gasoline prices. The average price reached nearly 119 rubles per liter for gasoline and nearly 139 rubles for diesel fuel. Meanwhile, the consumer price index for gasoline rose by nearly 20% over the year.

However, the actual situation turned out to be even worse. By mid-July, AI-95 gasoline at some gas stations in Sevastopol cost between 197 and 245 rubles per liter, and on the “black market” it was selling for 400 rubles. By comparison, in Moscow during the same period, a liter of gasoline cost about 74 rubles.

According to the publication, the fuel crisis escalated sharply in late May and June following systematic strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the occupiers’ logistics routes. As early as June 21, the free sale of fuel had effectively ceased.

The occupying authorities introduced a system whereby gasoline and diesel could only be dispensed using QR codes. Limits were set per vehicle: up to 30 liters of AI-92 gasoline and up to 20 liters of AI-95 gasoline or regular diesel fuel.

Similar restrictions are in effect in other cities of occupied Crimea. In Simferopol, Kerch, Yevpatoria, Feodosia, and Yalta, fuel sales have partially resumed at some gas stations, but availability remains uneven. The Moscow-controlled “Crimean Ministry of Fuel and Energy” publishes a daily list of gas stations where gasoline is still available.

At the same time, the occupying authorities are counting on federal subsidies. Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed “head of Crimea,” stated that, on Vladimir Putin’s instructions, the issue of allocating funds for fuel purchases has been addressed, and prices are reportedly set to drop by the end of July.

Earlier, the Russian state-owned postal operator“Crimean Post,” which operates in the temporarily occupied Crimea, scaled back its operations due to an acute fuel shortage and prolonged power outages.

In addition, a number of stores in occupied Crimea are experiencing a shortage of vodka and other hard liquor. Retailers attribute this to disruptions in the supply of goods from Russia due to transportation difficulties, and some retail chains are already preparing to close.

Андрій Колісніченко