Russian-held Crimea grapples with fuel shortages amid Ukrainian drone attacks

SEVASTOPOL, Crimea, June 10 (Reuters) – Residents in Russian-controlled Crimea struggled with gas rationing on Wednesday after Ukrainian drone strikes restricted supplies from Russia, a ‌Reuters witness said.

More than four years since it invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russia faces almost daily Ukrainian attacks on its oil infrastructure, while Western sanctions have made crude exports more costly as its attacks on Ukraine continue.

Ukraine’s drone strikes have focused on two main arteries supplying Crimea: Russian-controlled areas of southeastern Ukraine or via the Kerch Strait between Crimea and Russia’s Taman peninsula.

A Reuters eyewitness said there had been sugar shortages in some stores in recent days and restrictions on purchases of more than 5 kg (11 lb) of buckwheat, the Russian staple, but shelves were now stocked and there were no signs of panic.

The Reuters witness said there were some fuel queues with a limit of 20 liters per person and QR codes linked to license plates issued for purchases.

“The 20-litre limit is still in effect,” Russian-appointed Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram.

“I appeal to drivers who go to refuel today: Before going to the gas station, check if there is fuel.”

FIRE MUSEUM

In Ukraine’s latest attacks, drones hit a historical museum in Sevastopol as it reduced the number of trains traveling at night, local officials said on Wednesday.

Russia took control of Crimea in 2014 after Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was overthrown during protests. After Crimea voted to join Russia in a controversial referendum, Moscow formally annexed the peninsula, but few countries recognize it as part of the Russian Federation.

Crimea, along with most of the territory of what is now modern Ukraine, was taken over by the Russian Empire in the 18th century by Catherine the Great. It became part of Russia within the Soviet Union until 1954, when it was transferred to Ukraine, then a Soviet republic, by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected the surrender of territories occupied by Russian forces and said Ukraine’s sovereignty over Crimea should be restored.

(Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Neil Fullick)