Crimea Suspends Cash Gasoline Sales Amid Fuel Shortages Linked to Strikes
Crimea Tightens Fuel Rationing Measures
Background on Fuel Shortages
MOSCOW, June 4 (Reuters) - Russian-controlled Crimea tightened its rationing of fuel supplies on Thursday, suspending all cash sales of gasoline and the issuance of new coupons to buy it as the peninsula grapples with a shortage linked to Ukrainian drone strikes.
Drivers in the region, annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, have faced long lines at filling stations in recent days after attacks by Kyiv constricted supplies from adjoining Russian-controlled territory in southeast Ukraine.
Official Response and New Restrictions
Sergei Aksyonov, the Kremlin-installed head of Crimea, announced the new measures in a statement, tightening restrictions on petrol sales that were first imposed on May 31.
Details of the Suspension
"Starting today, for several days, the sale of gasoline for cash will be completely suspended," he said, adding that no new coupons would be issued for the purchase of fuel either. Transactions with existing coupons will be capped at 20 litre. He blamed "difficult circumstances" for the rationing, without providing further details.
Impact of Ukrainian Drone Strikes
Ukraine has for months been attacking fuel infrastructure close to Crimea, and elsewhere in an effort to limit Moscow's ability to finance its more than four-year war in Ukraine at a time of high global oil prices.
Recent Attacks and Consequences
Ukrainian drones targeted the Black SEa peninsula itself on Thursday, killing four people and damaging buildings, local Russian-appointed authorities said, a day after Moscow and Kyiv traded strikes on each other's cities.
(Writing by Alessandra Prentice Editing by Andrew Osborn )
