The fuel situation has negatively affected the tourism industry in Novorossiysk.

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In Novorossiysk, as in other cities of Kuban, there is a tense situation with fuel; more than half of the gas stations are not operating, and drivers are standing in queues. According to local residents, some tourists are refusing to vacation, however, those who changed their minds about going to Crimea have arrived.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on June 29, authorities announced that only part of the gas stations in Krasnodar Krai are operating, and restrictions on sales have been introduced at several of them by the owners' decision. Governor Veniamin Kondratiev explained the rise in fuel prices by the tourist season and the influx of vacationers. Local residents, commenting on his words in Telegram, noted that there had been no spike in fuel prices in previous tourist seasons. On June 30, residents of Kuban reported long queues for gasoline and conflicts at gas stations.

As of June 30, a tense situation with automotive fuel is recorded in Novorossiysk and several other cities in Krasnodar Krai. According to the city administration, 13 out of 34 gas stations are operating in the city - 21 gas stations have suspended operations. Restrictions on fuel dispensing have been introduced at the operating stations, and in some cases, gasoline is sold only with fuel cards.

In Krasnodar, regional authorities report that about half of the gas stations are not functioning. The deficit is more pronounced in Novorossiysk, leading to queues and local transport tension.

According to the administration and market participants, limits on fuel dispensing have been introduced at the operating gas stations - on average from 20 to 100 liters per vehicle depending on the type of fuel and category of transport. Some stations have a ban on filling fuel into canisters.

On social media, residents and tourists report long queues and periodic interruptions in fuel supplies. The situation at the gas stations evokes mixed reactions from drivers and local activists. Residents of Novorossiysk told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" on June 30 about the difficulties they faced when refueling their cars.

I think the excitement will soon subside

Zhanna stated that there is fuel at the gas stations, but there is a limit of 20 liters per vehicle. According to her, she spent about 40 minutes in line at one of the gas stations. "There are a lot of cars that are refueling in advance. They do not fill canisters at the gas stations. I think the excitement will soon subside," she believes, adding that the tense situation is also related to temporary logistical difficulties.

Tatyana said that in recent days she has practically given up driving due to fuel interruptions. "Friends say - there is no gasoline, prices have jumped, many gas stations are closed," she reported.

Many plans are falling apart

Member of the Communist Party Pavel believes that due to the fuel situation, many people are facing shattered plans. "Many plans are falling apart. I parked my car and walk," he said, adding that some residents are switching to bicycles and scooters.

Driver and courier Vadim stated that queues at gas stations in the city and on highways lead to traffic jams. "Wherever I go - there are queues everywhere. There are traffic jams right because of the gas stations, as cars are standing right on the highway," he said.

Representatives of the small hotel business note that some tourists are starting to refuse trips or shorten their stay, while some tourists have left Crimea for Kuban.

According to the co-owner of a mini-hotel with six rooms Kirill, "the main part of our guests now are drivers from the central regions of Russia." "The situation for them here, according to their words, looks calmer than in Crimea, from where they moved to us to spend the rest of their vacation due to the danger of UAVs in Crimea. But they remain concerned about how they will return home if the situation worsens with gasoline here," he shared about his clients' worries.

The owner of a guest house Ekaterina reported cases of cancellations of bookings and check-ins in some rooms by former tourists from Crimea. "Regular clients from Irkutsk canceled their trip due to safety concerns, the state of the sea, and the gasoline shortage. The season can be said to be ruined. The only ones who are saving us a little are the migrating tourists from Crimea to our side," she said.

According to industry representatives, a significant share of guests in the region arrives in their own transport, which makes the sector sensitive to the fuel crisis.

Authorities in Novorossiysk previously reported a reduction in the number of operating gas stations and the introduction of restrictions on fuel dispensing. This information was published on the official channel of the city administration. Since the introduction of restrictions, public statements by the authorities have mainly concerned the regulation of queues and fuel distribution. No official reports of a worsening situation after the introduction of measures have been recorded, but residents continue to report ongoing shortages and limits at gas stations.

The situation in Novorossiysk remains tense: limited fuel dispensing, queues at gas stations, and a reduction in the number of operating gas stations have already affected the daily mobility of residents and have begun to reflect on the tourism sector. At the same time, assessments of the causes and prospects of the crisis remain varied - from expectations of a quick stabilization to forecasts of further deterioration. There are no discussions that the cessation of the SVO could restore stability. In any case, no speaker has voiced this version of events to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

Materials on the fuel situation at gas stations in southern Russia have been collected by "Caucasian Knot" on the page "Caucasus: what's with gasoline?".

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