Russia halts fuel sales in Crimea after strikes

Russian-installed authorities in Crimea suspended fuel sales at petrol stations on Sunday, reserving supplies for government services after Ukrainian strikes damaged key bridges and oil facilities. The move followed repeated Ukrainian attacks on road and rail bridges linking the peninsula to occupied southern Ukraine.

Satellite imagery and drone footage verified by BBC Verify show at least six bridges hit in June, including the Chonhar crossings.

Residents in Sevastopol reported long queues before the suspension and said some stations received deliveries overnight only to close again after the order. One local said he had begun using a bicycle because he could not obtain petrol for his car. In the same city, public transport, shops and cafes now operate only during daylight hours while street lights remain off at night.

A resident who bought a back-up generator said he had no fuel to run it. Panic buying has emptied shelves of sugar and other staples in some stores, according to two Sevastopol residents interviewed by the BBC.

Ukrainian strikes on refineries inside Russia have already prompted nationwide restrictions on fuel sales. The campaign has now expanded to highways and transport corridors in occupied southern and eastern Ukraine. A Donetsk resident told the BBC that water arrives once every three days, petrol is scarce and expensive, and few cars remain on the streets.

He said those who wanted to leave had already done so.

and Logistics Russian Deputy Prime

Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday the situation was challenging but under control, with priority given to Crimea and border areas. Moscow has halted petrol and jet fuel exports and is considering a total ban on diesel exports. " — Alexander Novak, 23 June 2026 (BBC News) Ukraine's defence minister has described the strikes as part of a "logistics lockdown" using AI-enabled drones to disrupt Russian military supplies.