Fuel stations in Moscow have reimposed limits on gasoline purchases due to fuel shortages linked to Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries and strong seasonal demand, according to Reuters witnesses and fuel suppliers.

Shortages began to gather pace in May and had spread to most Russian regions by July, but fuel stations in Moscow were able to ease an earlier wave of restrictions in June.

On Wednesday (August 19), Reuters witnesses saw long queues at some filling stations in Moscow and the surrounding region while many stations were closed or offered only diesel fuel.

"We have been to five petrol stations already and there was no fuel", Moscow resident, German, told Reuters.

He said fuel availability had decreased since week before.

Other motorists also said they had noticed signs of shortages although some of them remained optimistic.

"I think everything will get back to normal in a week or two," Moscow resident, Artur, said.

Ukraine has targeted Russian oil refineries in an effort to undermine Moscow's war effort and reduce energy revenues.

To boost domestic supplies, Russian authorities have banned exports of gasoline and diesel, eased fuel quality requirements and began importing petroleum products.

A customer hotline operator at Gazprom Neft said gasoline and diesel sales at the company's automated filling stations in Moscow were limited to 40 liters per customer.

At Gazprom Neft's other filling stations, diesel sales remain unrestricted, while gasoline purchases are capped at 60 liters per vehicle.

Rosneft, Russia's largest oil producer, said gasoline sales at all its filling stations across Russia were limited to 30 liters per vehicle, while diesel sales faced no restrictions.

The company also warned customers of longer waiting times because of heightened demand.

Lukoil said it had introduced fuel sales restrictions in Moscow and the surrounding region because of elevated demand, unscheduled refinery maintenance and the need to ensure stable operations at its filling stations.

It did not disclose the specific limits.

Tatneft's customer hotline said gasoline sales at its filling stations were limited to 50 liters per vehicle.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Motorists form long petrol queues in Moscow amid reports of limits on sales

VIDEO SHOWS: MOTORISTS QUEUEING AT FILLING STATIONS / DRIVERS COMMENTING ON FUEL SHORTAGES, SAYING SITUATION DETERIORATED RECENTLY

EDITORS NOTE: SHOT 4 SPED UP BY REUTERS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (AUGUST 19, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. CARS QUEUING AT 'GAZPROMNEFT ' PETROL STATION

2. QUEUE MOVING

3. CARS QUEUEING IN ONE LANE AS OTHER VEHICLES MOVING PAST THEM

4. (MUTE) TIMELAPSE OF CARS QUEUING AT 'ROSNEFT' PETROL STATION

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, GERMAN (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"We have been to five petrol stations already and there was no fuel. (REPORTER ASKING IF SITUATION GOT WORSE RECENTLY) Last week, fuel was available. And now, there is no fuel again."

6. CARS QUEUEING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ARTUR (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"(ASKED HOW MUCH TIME HE SPENT IN QUEUE) Approximately 20 minutes. That is on average. This is my second attempt. First time, I reached the pump, but they said there was no fuel left. Then I made another circle and petrol became available again. (REPORTER ASKING IF HE THINKS SHORTAGES WILL LAST LONG) No, I think everything will get back to normal in a week or two."

8. VARIOUS OF CARS QUEUEING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ANTON SKIEVSKIY, SAYING:

"I have been waiting only for 10 minutes. In fact, I do not see a big problem here. If you want to refuel, you need to choose time carefully, but you can always refuel."

10. VARIOUS OF CARS QUEUING AT 'GAZPROMNEFT ' PETROL STATION

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TAXI DRIVER, MARAT (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"Everything is very bad. To find fuel, you probably need to drive across half of Moscow. And even in this case, you will not find it. You will have to wait for two or three hours in a queue."

12. MOTORIST PREPARING FUEL CANS

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TAXI DRIVER, MARAT (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"(ASKED IF HE THINKS SITUATION WILL GET BETTER SOON) I think this… I will not comment, but this… There is probably nothing good here that we can expect."

14. VARIOUS OF NOZZLES AT PUMP STATION

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, MARIA (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"Well, as you can see, there are queues. Gasoline is available in some places and unavailable in some others. It is probably better to refuel at night. In the countryside the situation is better than here."

16. CARS QUEUING

17. VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC