Scenes of physical altercations at petrol stations have emerged across Russia as worsening fuel shortages, exacerbated by Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure, continue to disrupt supplies.
Videos circulating show motorists engaging in fights while queuing for fuel, with incidents reported from various regions. In one clip, a driver is seen throwing punches through his car window at another motorist who has exited his vehicle. The altercation appears to continue inside the car, with bystanders attempting to intervene.
Another video captures a man repeatedly punching another driver outside a petrol station. In a separate incident, a woman claims she was threatened with a knife and had her tires deflated by a man who accused her of cutting in line. Footage appears to show the man unscrewing a tire valve and holding what looks to be a knife.
In Moscow, two women were filmed shouting at each other over accusations of queue-jumping. Fistfights outside petrol stations have also been reported in cities like Ryazan, with bystanders stepping in to break up the disputes.
These shortages are affecting most of Russia's 83 regions and occupied territories. In one instance, police reportedly cracked down on a group reselling fuel at triple the normal price.
President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged the country's fuel challenges, stating in an interview that Russia was experiencing "a certain shortage," though he described it as "not critical."
"As for strikes against critical infrastructure in general, and energy infrastructure in particular, of course these attacks on our infrastructure facilities create problems, that's obvious," Putin said. He also noted that "finding the right grade of petrol isn't always easy."
The fuel crisis has prompted authorities in Russian-annexed Crimea to declare an "emergency situation" due to shortages and power cuts, which they attribute to Ukrainian attacks on logistics and oil facilities. Crimean Governor Sergey Aksyonov stated that this declaration would enable a "rapid resolution of tasks related to ensuring the stable operation of all sectors."
Putin has vowed to ensure Russia's security and overcome the challenges posed by Ukraine's strikes, which Kyiv considers a response to Russia's ongoing bombardment of Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure since February 2022. The Russian leader emphasized the need to increase anti-aircraft defense capabilities and ensure fuel supplies, particularly to Crimea, where he admitted only a few days' supply remained.