Russians line up for irritation at stations | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

“Russians line up for irritation at stations” examines growing fuel shortages in Russia after Ukrainian attacks damaged oil refining and storage capacity. In multiple regions, fuel rationing has been introduced, and long, hours-long queues form beside roads as drivers report empty pumps, rising prices, and frustration online. The mayor of Irkutsk, a Siberian city, ordered portable toilets to manage lines. The Associated Press says President Vladimir Putin acknowledged persistent problems, including queues and difficulty finding the right grade of petrol, while calling the shortages “not critical” and “temporary.” Since late March, AP reports more than 50 Ukrainian attacks on oil infrastructure in Russia and the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula, with some sites hit repeatedly, including a refinery in Tuapse struck four times in just over two weeks. Analysts estimate June crude processing fell 25% year-on-year to 3.95 million barrels per day, and gasoline production fell 17% to 850,000 barrels per day, far below domestic needs. The article notes Russia exports relatively little gasoline, with about a third of refining capacity offline.