Drivers in Nalchik complained about the shortage of cheap gasoline.
The fuel crisis has led to the closure of "Lukoil" gas stations in Nalchik, prices for gasoline at private gas stations are inflated, and long lines are forming at "Rosneft" gas stations, where previous prices are maintained.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", residents of North Ossetia, outraged by rising prices and fuel shortages, demanded that the authorities conduct large-scale inspections of private gas stations.
The fuel problem arose against the backdrop of attacks on oil refineries, including those located in southern Russia. Thus, on June 10, a fire occurred at the refinery in the village of Afipsky. On June 5, an oil depot in Ust-Labinsk caught fire, requiring the evacuation of residents of nearby houses. On June 2, a fire broke out at the oil refinery in the village of Ilsk in the Seversky district as a result of a drone attack. The fire was extinguished the same day.
The "Lukoil" gas stations in Nalchik are not selling fuel: the two gas stations of this network that the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" visited today were not selling fuel. There were no employees at the gas stations, and the price boards showed zeros.
At the "Rosneft" gas stations, fuel prices are stable: AI-92 gasoline costs 65.75 rubles, AI-95 - 70.75 rubles. Huge lines of cars are forming at their gas stations. The limit for one car is 20 liters. At the private gas station NTC (Nalchik Fuel Company), which the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" also visited, AI-92 cost 125 rubles, and AI-95 - 130 rubles per liter. There were only four cars at this gas station.
Driver Khachim Abazov confirmed that there is no gasoline at the "Lukoil" gas stations, which is why he cannot refuel his service vehicle. "We have a fuel card for "Lukoil", we only refuel at their gas stations, we have a contract with them, and now we are forced to terminate it and sign with another fuel company. For now, we are using our reserves, limiting our trips," the man explained.
Driver Anzor Srukhov, who works in delivery, observes long lines at city gas stations. "I switched to gas about five years ago, there are no problems with gas. But driving around the city, I see kilometer-long lines at gas stations where gasoline is cheap. Where gasoline is expensive, there are no lines," he told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".
Driver Akhmed Kardanov, who drives a company manager, refuels at expensive gas stations to avoid standing in lines. "I always have a shortage of time, so I have to refuel with expensive gasoline," he said.
Nalchik resident Lyudmila Steblova complained that taxi fares have increased. "I work outside the city. Earlier, I got to work for 220 rubles, now I have to pay 320. "Yandex Taxi" explains the price increase by the rise in gasoline prices," she said.
In response to residents' complaints from Kabardino-Balkaria in the regional management center chat, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Trade stated that average fuel prices in the republic do not exceed the average prices in the North Caucasus Federal District.
"Prices at individual gas stations vary depending on logistics costs, as well as the amount of gasoline reserves. Regional gas stations purchase gasoline through intermediaries, so the cost of fuel at local gas stations is higher than at federal networks. Enterprises with large fuel reserves sell fuel purchased at old prices. Enterprises that do not have such an opportunity sell all their purchases at once and buy a new supply at the price relevant today." In addition, large federal companies have the opportunity to buy fuel directly on the exchange, while local gas stations purchase gasoline through intermediaries. This is why the cost of gasoline at individual gas stations may differ," the ministry's statement said.
According to the map of the "GdeBENZ" service (Gdebenz.ru): as of 23:30 MSK today, gasoline is available at six gas stations in Nalchik, all of which belong to private companies. The map does not contain information about fuel prices at these gas stations. At all six "Rosneft" gas stations in Nalchik, according to the latest reports, there is no fuel. There is also no fuel at four "Lukoil" gas stations; at one more gas station of this network, on Kabardinskaya Street, there is only a small amount of diesel fuel available.
The Gdebenz.ru service is based on user reports, so the information displayed on the map is not official. "Caucasian Knot" does not have the ability to promptly verify the accuracy of the information published by users.