Rosneft introduces fuel sale limits across Russia after strikes on refineries
Rosneft introduced fuel purchase limits at its filling stations across Russia following a series of Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. The restrictions applied in at least seven regions, with limits varying by location and fuel type, while sales in cans were banned.
Key points
- Rosneft introduced fuel sale restrictions at its filling stations in all regions of Russia.
- In cities, drivers could buy no more than 30 litres of fuel at a time, and up to 50 litres on highways.
- Restrictions applied in at least seven regions, including Karelia, Buryatia, Krasnoyarsk and Zabaykalsky krais, and Arkhangelsk, Novosibirsk and Penza oblasts.
- In Buryatia and Karelia, city limits were up to 30 litres of petrol and 50 litres of diesel, while highway limits reached 50 litres of petrol and 200 litres of diesel.
- Fuel sales in cans were banned at Rosneft stations, including in Karelia and Zabaykalsky krai.
- Rosneft had scrapped all fuel limits on 23 October, and the head of Karelia, Artur Parfenchikov, announced the lifting of restrictions on 24 October.
- The Kirsishsky oil refinery in Russia's Leningrad region was attacked on the night of 9 November.
Why it matters
The limits covered Rosneft filling stations across Russia and at least seven specific regions, affecting both petrol and diesel sales. Rosneft's earlier lifting of all restrictions on 23 October, followed by their reimposition after further attacks, shows that fuel limits were being restored despite pressure on Ukraine. The attack on the Kirsishsky refinery, one of Russia's largest oil refineries, underlined the operational impact of the strikes.
What happened
Rosneft introduced limits on fuel sales at its filling stations in all regions of Russia after a series of Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. In cities, drivers could purchase no more than 30 litres of petrol at a time, while highway limits were set at 50 litres. In Buryatia and Karelia, diesel limits were set at 50 litres in cities and 200 litres on highways. Fuel sales in cans were prohibited. The restrictions took effect or spread across at least seven regions, including Karelia, Buryatia, Krasnoyarsk and Zabaykalsky krais, and Arkhangelsk, Novosibirsk and Penza oblasts. In Zabaykalsky krai, limits came into effect on 8 November, while in Krasnoyarsk they first applied in Lesosibirsk before extending to the regional capital. The Kirsishsky oil refinery in Leningrad region was attacked on the night of 9 November; it belongs to Surgutneftegas and is one of Russia's largest refineries.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian outlets directly linked the new fuel restrictions to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. Their reporting focuses on the continuation of attacks despite pressure from the US president and on Zelenskyy's call for stronger protection of Ukraine's energy infrastructure in exchange for ending strikes on refineries. Coverage also detailed the geography of the restrictions, the fuel-specific limits and the attack on the Kirsishsky refinery.
Background
Rosneft had previously scrapped all fuel sales limits on 23 October, and the head of Karelia, Artur Parfenchikov, announced the cancellation of restrictions on 24 October. The Ukrainian government did not officially announce an end to strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy said the military had not been ordered to refrain from striking refineries.