In Russia's First Region, A Proposal Was Made To Sell Gasoline Based On License Plate Numbers
- 30.06.2026, 13:01
This approach could be implemented at 57 gas stations belonging to the Rosneft and Gazprom networks.
In the Oryol Region, officials will discuss the introduction of a new gasoline sales system, under which the days on which residents of the region can refuel their vehicles will be determined by their license plate numbers, Governor Andrey Klychkov announced. “On Saturday, residents of Oryol whose license plates start with 0 through 1 can refuel their cars; on Sunday, those with plates starting with 2 through 3, and so on. We will allow up to 50 liters per vehicle,” the governor explained during a live broadcast on VKontakte, as noted by the website The Moscow Times.
According to Klychkov, this approach could be implemented at 57 gas stations belonging to the Rosneft and Gazprom networks. However, drivers with license plates registered in other regions will only be able to refuel their vehicles at three specific gas stations in Orel. “My priority is the residents of the Oryol Region, not transit vehicles or those who are simply passing through,” Klychkov noted. He added that this measure will reduce the rush and ensure drivers have enough fuel for one and a half to two weeks. “We have worked through these proposals. On Wednesday, we will present them to the task force with law enforcement agencies in order to adopt this decision and implement it in the region,” the governor concluded.
Restrictions on fuel sales were introduced in the Oryol Region on June 24. The region set a limit on gasoline sales per person—no more than 30 liters at gas stations in cities and no more than 50 liters on highways. Full or partial restrictions on fuel sales were officially introduced in 40 regions of Russia, while various disruptions were reported in 80 regions. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that there is “enough” fuel in the country, while demand for it has jumped by 20–30% due to panic buying by Russians. “We are currently restructuring the system’s logistics networks to meet demand. It will take some time to rebalance the market,” Novak said.
Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on Russian infrastructure “are creating problems” and leading to “a certain shortage” of fuel. At the same time, he assured that “all damaged facilities are being restored fairly quickly” and “everything is operating stably.” To address the fuel shortage, according to Putin, it is necessary to “complete repairs more quickly,” ramp up production of air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure, and increase gasoline imports.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces intensified their strikes on Russian oil refineries this spring, attacking a record number of facilities in May—16. As a result, gasoline production plummeted by 25%—to 85,000 metric tons. Meanwhile, during the summer months, the economy consumes 110,000 metric tons of automotive gasoline per day. “Ukraine’s campaign against the Russian energy sector has caused massive damage, pushing the country toward the worst fuel crisis in its history,” noted analysts at Energy Intelligence.