Russia has increased its fuel imports from Belarus and is diverting supplies to Siberia to avoid shortages in Moscow region amid strikes on its energy infrastructure by Ukrainian forces, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing industry sources.
The country has been grappling with fuel shortages of varying severity across its 11 time zones since May as Ukraine ramped up its attacks on Russian oil refineries to hurt the latter's war efforts.
Overall, gasoline output in the country is down to about 65% of average early July consumption, with supplies in the Russian capital and the wider Moscow region stable as of mid-July, the report said, citing regional fuel traders.
The Moscow region, which accounts for over one-sixth of Russia's country's total population at 22 million, consumes about 6 million tons of gasoline annually.
The region, home to the country's political and cultural elite, has been prioritized when it comes to supply allocation for various goods, the report said.
has reached out to the Russian Energy Ministry for comment.
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