Gasoline prices have risen sharply in Moscow after Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries

Gasoline prices have risen sharply in the Moscow region, Kommersant reports, citing data from OMT-Consult. Over the week, the cost of AI-95 in Moscow increased by almost two rubles and exceeded 75 rubles per liter, and in the Moscow region the increase was more than three rubles. A similar situation is observed with AI-92, as well as with diesel fuel.

Market participants cite systematic attacks by Ukrainian drones on oil refineries as the main reason. In May, 16 refineries came under attack, including eight of the ten largest enterprises in the industry.

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On the night of June 16, drones damaged the installation of the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya. It provides more than half of the plant's capacity, and two days later, on the night of June 18, the plant was again subjected to an even more powerful attack and was forced to stop work. The Moscow Refinery provides about 40% of the region's oil refining and a significant part of the local fuel market.

Radio Liberty on Saturday published satellite images of the plant, which showed, among other things, a damaged tank, when hit, the lid flew into the air - videos of this moment were widely distributed online. The photo also shows the lid flying off. Videos indicate that the tank was most likely hit by an air defense missile.

The same photos were subsequently published by the Ukrainian General Staff, writing that two oil processing plants and four tanks were destroyed.

Amid fuel shortages, some gas station networks in Russia and annexed Crimea have introduced restrictions on the sale of gasoline and diesel. In some regions, the sale of fuel in cans is prohibited or limits are set on the volume of refueling per car.

The Federal Antimonopoly Service has already demanded that a number of large gas station chains explain the sharp rise in prices. Experts warn that fuel shortages could spread to other regions, and the fuel crisis will become one of the factors accelerating inflation in the second half of the year.

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