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Russians Are Being Offered Refueling in China Amid Fuel Shortage
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Residents of Russia’s Zabaykalsky region are being offered services to take their vehicles across the border into China for refueling as fuel shortages continue to disrupt supplies in the region. Zabaykalsky region is located in southeastern Siberia and shares a border with China and Mongolia.
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According to the Russian outlet Ostorozhno, Novosti, advertisements promoting cross-border refueling have appeared in local messaging groups amid ongoing restrictions on gasoline sales.
The offers target residents of Zabaykalsk and Chita, promising to transport vehicles to the Chinese city of Manzhouli, refuel them there, and return them to Russia. Some services also advertise filling fuel containers, although they warn that Chinese customs may not allow canisters to cross the border.
According to Ostorozhno, Novosti, advertised diesel prices start at 66 rubles (about $0.85) per liter when paid in Chinese yuan, while AI-95 gasoline costs up to 97 rubles (about $1.25) per liter.
Zabaykalsky region has faced an acute fuel shortage since June 25. Regional authorities introduced a high-alert regime, limiting gasoline sales to private motorists to 15 liters per day. Long lines formed at filling stations, with reports indicating that queues stretched for kilometers.
On July 1, the regional government described the fuel supply situation as “extremely tense.” Governor Alexander Osipov said residents were waiting for fuel “for days” and announced plans to introduce an electronic queueing system, increase police presence at gas stations, and provide food and drinking water to people waiting in line.
According to Ostorozhno, Novosti, regional officials also considered restricting truck traffic—except fuel tankers—through Zabaykalsky Krai and the Zabaykalsk border crossing with China, one of Russia’s main trade routes for Chinese imports. Those plans were later dropped following intervention by federal authorities.
The shortages are part of broader fuel supply disruptions across Russia. Reuters previously reported that gasoline sales restrictions have been introduced in 41 Russian regions as refinery operations were affected by Ukrainian long-range strikes.
Similar cross-border fuel purchases have also emerged along Russia’s border with Kazakhstan. According to Reuters, Kazakh authorities tightened border controls after Russian motorists began buying cheaper fuel there. Officials said mobile patrols and customs inspections had prevented dozens of attempts to transport fuel into Russia in auxiliary tanks and containers.
Earlier, Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian long-range strikes had disabled nearly 43% of Russia’s total oil refining capacity, contributing to fuel shortages, disrupting fuel production and storage, and increasing pressure on Russia’s fuel supply chain.
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