Gas stations across occupied Crimea capped gasoline sales at 20 liters a day and many ran dry after Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted traffic on the R-280 land corridor from Russia.
Ukraine said the attacks are part of a “logistics lockdown” meant to strain Russian rear areas and weaken assault operations by hitting one of the main supply routes to the peninsula.
Russian-installed officials acknowledged danger on the route: Kherson had already restricted civilian travel, Balitsky urged residents to limit trips, and one KamAZ driver was killed by a drone-dropped mine on May 29.
OSINT researcher Clément Molin said 150 vehicles have been visually verified destroyed on the highway, with the real toll possibly twice as high, underscoring the corridor’s growing vulnerability.
The shortage also exposes Crimea’s limited alternatives: fuel can go by ferry across the Kerch Strait, weather permitting, but not across the Crimean Bridge for safety reasons.
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Fuel Shortages Grip Crimea in 2026: Ukrainian Attacks Disrupt Russian Supply Lines and Civilian Life
Overview
In late May and early June 2026, Russian-occupied Crimea faced a severe fuel crisis, forcing authorities to impose rationing across the peninsula. This immediate shortage was confirmed by local officials, who said the situation might not stabilize for at least 30 days, meaning residents would endure restrictions through much of June. The crisis was triggered by a sustained campaign of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian supply lines and energy infrastructure, which disrupted fuel deliveries and created widespread shortages. As a result, both military operations and daily civilian life in Crimea have been significantly strained, highlighting the broader impact of the ongoing conflict.