The situation with fuel in Kabardino-Balkaria remains tense.

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Drivers in Nalchik complained that the situation with fuel shortages at gas stations and long queues is not improving, and gas prices have risen amid these problems.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on August 15, there were still long queues at some gas stations in Nalchik, while private gas stations had gasoline available, but it was significantly more expensive. Drivers reported cases where cheap fuel was insufficient at network gas stations for everyone who wanted it. On August 19, drivers complained that long queues persisted at gas stations. They demanded that the authorities take effective measures to solve the queue problem.

Respondents on August 24 told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" that the situation at gas stations in Kabardino-Balkaria had not changed over the past week, and in some places had even worsened. The survey is not representative and reflects only the private opinions of those surveyed.

There are few places with gasoline

Taxi driver Timur Bazunov believes that the situation with gasoline has worsened. "There are few places with gasoline. At private gas stations, the price reaches 130 rubles for 95-octane, at network gas stations there is either no gasoline or huge queues. I was driving and saw a two-kilometer queue at the Lukoil gas station," he reported.

He himself refuels with gas, and according to him, gas has also become more expensive: it used to cost 25 rubles, now it reaches 43. When asked if it would be better to introduce a round-the-clock operation mode for gas stations, the driver replied: "What’s the point of working around the clock if there is no gasoline?"

Svetlana Loginova said that she refueled at the Rosneft gas station the other day and waited an hour in line. Gasoline cost 70 rubles for 95-octane. "There was little gasoline, they only allowed 30 liters. Then they said not to queue, that gasoline was running out, but I managed to refuel. When I refueled before that, I waited an hour and a half. Then I also managed to get it, but some left without refueling."

It would be better if they introduced a round-the-clock operation mode

Loginova said she tries not to refuel at private gas stations: "I save money." "Of course, it would be better if they introduced a round-the-clock operation mode," Svetlana added.

A resident of the village of Malka Abdulkerim Khazhnagoev said that he refuels his car with gas. "Of course, I drive on gas, but gas has also become more expensive. For example, in Malka, propane costs 39 rubles, although it was 31 rubles a week ago. At the Rosneft and Lukoil gas stations, gasoline is sometimes available, sometimes not. The absence of 95-octane gasoline is particularly common. And when it is available, long queues form for it," he said.

As for the round-the-clock operation mode, according to the interlocutor, gas stations along the federal highway from Nalchik to Pyatigorsk already operate around the clock. "The question is whether there is gasoline or not," Abdulkerim added.

Why do private gas stations have gasoline in sufficient quantities?

A driver from Nalchik, who agreed to answer questions anonymously, believes that the gasoline shortage is mostly artificially created, and private operators are profiting from it. "Why do private gas stations have gasoline in sufficient quantities, but at twice the price, while Rosneft is lacking? Or maybe Rosneft is reselling gasoline to private operators?" he suggested.

When asked what he knows about gasoline being cheaper in North Ossetia and why that is, the interlocutor replied that the situation is similar everywhere - there is plenty of gasoline at private gas stations, but not enough at state ones. "In Chechnya and North Ossetia, gasoline is indeed cheaper at private gas stations, but not by much - about 20 rubles. I can't say why that is. But it is believed that the Antimonopoly Service of KBR should pay attention to the situation," the interlocutor said.

For local media, the Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Trade of KBR Shamil Akhubekov commented on the situation. Among the reasons for the fuel shortage, he mentioned preventive shutdowns of several plants, as well as damage from drone attacks on oil refining infrastructure.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that residents of Kabardino-Balkaria periodically complain about high prices, queues, and disruptions in the operation of gas stations. For example, on August 12, social media users doubted the imminent reduction in gasoline prices and pointed to the lower fuel costs in neighboring regions. On July 28, residents of the republic complained that the price of gasoline at some gas stations reached 135–150 rubles per liter and demanded increased price control.