Russia's fuel crunch worsens as deaths reported at gas stations

At least two elderly people have died while waiting in queues at gas stations as Russia grapples with a worsening nationwide fuel shortage linked to a sharp decline in oil refining capacity. On the evening of July 14, an 80-year-old man died while waiting at a filling station in the city of Lysva, in Russia's Perm Krai.

According to the Perm Krai Ministry of Health, emergency medical personnel attempted to revive the man, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The preliminary cause of death was identified as heart failure.

Earlier, a 75-year-old driver also died while waiting in line at a gas station in Petrozavodsk, the capital of Russia's Republic of Karelia. Independent outlet ASTRA, citing eyewitnesses, reported that the incident occurred near the Republican Hospital. Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause.

The incidents come as Russia faces one of its most severe fuel shortages in recent years.

According to sources, Ukrainian drone strikes have knocked out approximately 40% of Russia's oil refining capacity, significantly disrupting fuel production and distribution.

Industry data underscore the scale of the crisis. EA Analytics estimates that Russia's oil refining output fell to 3.91 million barrels per day in July, the lowest level since 2005 and 27% below the level recorded a year earlier. Energy Intelligence places production even lower, at 3.58 million barrels per day, which would represent the weakest refining performance since 2002.

Energy Intelligence also estimates that refining facilities with a combined capacity of roughly 3.1 million barrels per day are currently idle, while Russia faces a monthly deficit of 400,000 to 600,000 metric tons of petroleum products.

In response, authorities have introduced official fuel sales restrictions in more than 40 regions. However, various forms of rationing and sales limits are effectively in force across almost all Russian regions, as well as in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, highlighting the breadth of the country's deepening fuel crisis.

By Vafa Guliyeva