An unprecedented situation is unfolding in the Transbaikal region: against the backdrop of an acute fuel shortage, local residents are increasingly turning to intermediaries offering to refuel vehicles in China. Regional chats are flooded with dozens of advertisements stating that a car can be transported to the Chinese city of Manzhouli, filled up, and returned to its owner.
"Chinese gasoline" as a lifeline
According to reports in local Telegram channels and data from the publication "Ostorozhno.News," fuel prices in the neighboring country remain attractive even when accounting for logistics. Advertisements offer diesel fuel at prices starting from 66 rubles per liter when paid in yuan, and AI-95 gasoline up to 97 rubles per liter.
In addition to refueling cars, enterprising citizens are offering to fill jerry cans with a capacity of up to 10 liters. However, there is a significant risk here: exporting such fuel through Chinese customs is not guaranteed, making the service risky for those planning to bring supplies home.
Heightened readiness mode and queues at gas stations
The situation in the region is critical. Since late June, the Transbaikal region has been experiencing an acute shortage of fuel. Authorities have introduced a heightened readiness mode, and a purchase limit for individuals has been set at just 15 liters per day. Multi-kilometer queues are forming at gas stations, visible even from a bird's-eye view.
In an attempt to stabilize the situation, regional leadership planned to introduce strict restrictions on the movement of heavy transport. It was proposed to close regional roads and border crossings to all trucks except fuel tankers. However, these plans were canceled following the intervention of federal authorities, as Transbaikal is a key route for importing goods from China.
Causes of the crisis: strikes on refineries
The roots of the fuel problems in Russia lie in the large-scale strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) against oil refineries. According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian drones are attacking Russia's energy infrastructure at an unprecedented rate. By the end of June 2026 alone, eight out of the ten largest refineries in the country had been successfully hit, significantly undermining overall oil refining volumes and leading to shortages on the shelves.
