Gasoline Exhausted in Occupied Donetsk Region, Not Sold Even to Russian Forces

The temporarily occupied part of the Donetsk region is experiencing a severe gasoline shortage. The fuel shortage has affected not only the civilian sector but also Russian troops involved in combat operations.

This was reported by Russian propagandist Romanov Lite.

According to him, fuel periodically becomes available at individual gas stations but sells out almost immediately. He claims that no gas stations with available fuel can be found along the Donetsk—Avilo-Uspenka highway. A similar situation has reportedly developed in occupied Donetsk.

Romanov also said that Russian servicemen were unable to purchase fuel at gas stations in the Rostov region. According to him, they were refused permission to fill canisters with fuel even on Russian territory.

In a video published by Romanov, a man attempts to persuade gas station employees to sell him fuel. The workers explain that safety regulations prohibit dispensing fuel into fuel canisters, although canisters with a capacity of up to 60 liters are permitted.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted oil depots and other fuel infrastructure facilities, viewing fuel supplies as one of the key components of Russia’s military capabilities.

Russian troops have long used civilian disguises for military equipment.

At the same time, the use of this practice for fuel transportation may indicate particular vulnerabilities in the logistics system and concerns about losses within fuel supply chains.

Fuel tankers remain one of the most important logistical assets at the front, as their destruction or damage directly affects vehicle mobility, generator operations, and the ability of units to sustain the required tempo of combat operations.

Regular attacks on fuel tankers, oil depots, and fuel storage facilities have caused fuel supply problems not only in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine but also in Russia’s border regions.

To reduce the risk of losses from such attacks, Russian forces disguise fuel tankers as civilian trucks and, in some cases, transport fuel in civilian vehicles.