The FAS's explanations for the high fuel prices did not satisfy Dagestani drivers.

The fuel shortage and high prices in Dagestan are related to the shutdowns of oil refineries and dependence on suppliers, said the head of the republican FAS, Kair Babaev. Drivers in Dagestan, commenting on his words on social media, criticized the antimonopoly officials for what they believe are insufficient efforts to curb prices. They pointed out that fuel at local gas stations is significantly more expensive than in neighboring regions.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 12, Dagestani drivers complained about the persistently high fuel prices for three months. At the end of August, the acting head of Dagestan, Fyodor Shchukin, instructed to expedite the resumption of operations at gas stations closed for violations, and officials reported that most of these gas stations in Makhachkala and Kaspiysk had rectified the violations. Drivers demanded that officials work to reduce fuel prices.

The head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) for Dagestan Kair Babaev explained the reasons for the shortage and high fuel prices in the republic.

The fuel market in Dagestan is in a volatile state due to unscheduled shutdowns of oil refineries across the country. The shortage forces federal authorities to take emergency measures, including ensuring supplies through the exchange, said the head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) for Dagestan Kair Babaev, whose words were reported by RIA "Dagestan" on September 29.

The republic finds itself in this situation because there is no vertically integrated oil company in Dagestan. Suppliers purchase fuel on the free market, and Dagestan depends on the volumes they can supply, Babaev explained.

"We are at risk of how much those who are in free float will bring us. The lack of gasoline creates a lot of problems," he emphasized.

In neighboring republics, fuel is sold for about 68–80 rubles per liter, while in Dagestan, prices range from 90 to 150 rubles, Babaev stated.

Babaev's report was published on Instagram*-public hello_makhachkala, which has about 201 thousand followers. As of 11:00 Moscow time on September 30, this post received 35 likes and 81 comments.

Commenters, identifying themselves as Dagestani drivers, criticized the work of the antimonopoly service and demanded results in the fight against high prices. "Everything is clear, but when will you get to work? A whole state cannot take control of gas stations in Dagestan?" asked user lilo51012.

"Why do we need these explanations? Where is the result of your work?" questioned abu_bakar_talgat.

"In short: we can do nothing. This is clear. What is unclear is why you are needed then," wrote sh005mm05.

Other participants in the discussion doubted the explanations for the high prices and linked the costliness to the actions of fuel owners and suppliers. "Wholesale prices for gasoline are the same everywhere. This is the greed of our gas station owners," believes magomedbegov74.

"A banal excuse <…>. It’s strange that Dagestan is in a special situation. They thought for a long time about what to come up with for the people?" asked patimat821.

"Then explain why in Khasavyurt and Kizlyar gas is 42 rubles, while in Makhachkala it is 45? Or do they not buy from the same speculators? It’s all about the greed of our fellow countrymen with money," believes diego_8_8_8_8_8.

Another part of the commentators complained about the high prices at Dagestan gas stations and compared them to fuel costs in neighboring regions. "125 rubles in Khasavyurt for gasoline, what is this, aren’t you ashamed? You can’t sort out the prices," pointed out arturmagomedov97.

"The same in Derbent, 125 rubles for 95-octane. No other republic has such prices," emphasized lsiam2924.

"In the neighboring republic of Ossetia, it’s 70 rubles for 95-octane," noted bash_aliev.

Recall that on August 29, the authorities of Dagestan announced the creation of an operational headquarters, strengthening control over supplies and prices, and expediting the resumption of operations at closed gas stations. At that time, residents of the republic doubted the effectiveness of these measures and complained about high prices and a lack of functioning gas stations.

On September 1, residents of Dagestan, commenting on Rosstat data, stated that the official data do not reflect the actual price increase and that gasoline at some gas stations is sold significantly higher than the values indicated by statistics.