Fuel Shortages in Southern Russia Targeted by Supplier Manipulation, Says Energy Minister

Fuel shortages in southern Russia emerged from decisions by suppliers aiming to create artificial scarcity by shutting gas stations during peak tourist season, according to Nikolai Shulginov, the Russian Energy Minister. The remarks were delivered to RIA News on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum and highlighted a pattern some observers say has appeared in recent years. Shulginov noted that the energy ministry is actively working to halt such actions and protect steady fuel availability for households and essential services. He stressed that the south’s fuel needs are being met through domestic production, and that the fluctuation is not a simple result of logistics but a calculated attempt to leverage temporary conditions for gain. In this explanation, the minister framed the situation as a test of response capacity rather than an inherent shortage in supply, pointing to the resilience of the national energy system and the central role of continuous production. The broader message was clear: domestic production remains capable of meeting demand, provided it is safeguarded from manipulation during critical periods, such as the busy tourist season when demand spikes and distribution networks face heightened pressure.