Residents of the North Caucasus Federal District republics have noticed a rise in fuel prices.
Authorities in the North Caucasus regions have not announced gasoline sales limits, but have reported on measures to prevent shortages. The situation is most acute in Dagestan, where the most significant increase in gasoline prices has been observed.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," gasoline sales restrictions have been introduced in Adygea, while authorities in the Volgograd Region and Kuban explain the need for sales limits due to increased demand and the decision of the retail chains themselves.
By the evening of June 24, political scientist Mikhail Vinogradov noted that authorities in none of the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District had made an official announcement about gasoline sales restrictions. "Although unofficially, all sorts of news is coming from these regions," he noted on his Telegram channel.
On June 24, the Dagestan Ministry of Energy reported on efforts to "stabilize the fuel market," reminding residents that all fuel is purchased outside the region. "There is not a single plant in the republic that produces AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline, nor are there any plants producing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," the ministry's statement stated.
It's difficult to find a working gas station in Makhachkala, and long lines of cars form at the few operating stations. High gasoline prices force people to economize and avoid travel, according to residents interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot." Dagestan "is among the regions where fuel prices have increased the most over the year: by 18.2%, which is one of the highest rates in Russia," the Telegram channel "Economy of Dagestan" notes, citing Rosstat data.
A serious fuel shortage has arisen in Makhachkala, where many gas stations are closed. "People are standing in line for hours just to fill up. Even at 4 a.m., there was a huge line, local residents report. They're no longer filling canisters. Many gas stations are also out of gas," the Telegram channel "Blog of Dagestan" reported.
In a published video, a woman driving a car shows the line at the Neftyanik gas station. "It's the only gas station I found in this city," she says, noting that "95-octane gasoline costs 126 rubles."
"Don't suggest Neftyanik, it's impossible to get through there now," remarked a contributor to the "Conscience of Dagestan" channel, asking subscribers where to buy gasoline in Makhachkala.
On June 24, the Dagestani publication "Novoe Delo" called for "simple and understandable information" about operating gas stations. "It's enough to publish an up-to-date list of operating gas stations and LPG stations with addresses, contact information, and information about the type of fuel available—gasoline, diesel, or natural gas—preferably with information about the volumes sold. Because these days, the situation changes literally in a matter of hours. A gas station might have fuel in the morning, but by lunchtime, it's empty," the publication's Telegram channel stated.
Derbent authorities issued a separate statement regarding the gasoline situation, stating that the city's gas stations' current supplies "will last at least 20 days." They attributed the rise in gasoline prices to "difficulties in purchasing fuel on the exchange." "The quality of fuel will be several times worse," user Benissio commented on this news on the Telegram channel "Atypical Makhachkala." "It's good that Derbent is small; you can basically walk," remarked II.
The authorities of North Ossetia responded to drivers' requests, announcing that, at the request of the head of the republic, an online information board about gasoline availability at gas stations has been developed. "Using this resource, any resident or visitor to the republic will soon be able to obtain up-to-date information about fuel availability at gas stations in the republic," the regional Ministry of Housing and Public Utilities stated in a statement. The website's address was not provided in the publication: officials reported that "the online board is being filled" and will launch in test mode on June 25.
Menyailo had previously also ordered the creation of an "emergency reserve" of fuel in North Ossetia. "We need to have emergency reserves in terms of storage capacity. We cannot allow a rush and disruption of supplies," he stated during a meeting on June 23.
The Stavropol Ministry of Industry and Trade was the first in the North Caucasus Federal District to report on June 23 that the fuel situation had stabilized. Officials claim there are no queues at gas stations in the region, fuel is being delivered, and the rush is subsiding. "Against the backdrop of demand and rising prices, authorities in Kabardino-Balkaria are also readily commenting on the situation, saying that there are sufficient reserves and no shortages or disruptions in deliveries. There are also complaints about disruptions and rising prices in Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Karachay-Cherkessia," reports The Magas Times.
YouTube user Zamir Gadzhimuradov posted a video on the evening of June 24 showing prices at gas stations in the city of Ust-Dzheguta (Karachay-Cherkessia). "95 octane - 72 rubles, 92 octane - 70 rubles, diesel - 85 rubles, gas - 30 rubles," he reads from the display, wondering "what's it like in Dagestan."
"In Makhachkala, all the gas stations on Akushinka are closed. I drove toward Kizilyurt and filled up near Korkmaskala. Because of the lines, I forgot to check the price," Musa Magomedov wrote in the comments. "It's more expensive in Ingushetia, but gas is the same price," wrote Akhmetkhan Dzaurov. "In Makhachkala, 95 octane is 120 rubles," added G1yabdulLag.