Lines for gasoline have become a daily reality for Volgograd residents.

Many gas stations in Volgograd are out of fuel or only sell diesel. Where fuel is available at chain gas stations, long lines form. Residents believe the authorities are not coping with the fuel crisis.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", gas stations in Volgograd, especially in the city center, are again experiencing surge demand for gasoline, which is not available everywhere, local residents reported. Volgograd residents have to search for AI-95 at gas stations and stand in lines. Officials assured that there are no fuel problems in the Volgograd region.

On October 10, a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" surveyed drivers in Volgograd. The survey is not representative and reflects only the private opinions of the respondents.

A resident of the Central District of Volgograd Olga Kitaeva reported that long lines were observed at gas stations in the Central District of Volgograd all day. According to her, the fuel crisis in the region escalated again three days ago.

There is no fuel at most gas stations on Lenin Avenue. Where gasoline is available, long lines have formed.

"Right now (7:30 PM Moscow time) I am at a Lukoil gas station on Parkhomenko Street. The display shows only diesel at 79 rubles 81 kopecks per liter. There is no gasoline. There are no cars at the gas station. My husband returned from work and said the gas stations on Rokossovsky Street are closed. There is no fuel at most gas stations on Lenin Avenue. Where gasoline is available, long lines have formed. The same situation was yesterday (October 9). In my observations since the elections, fuel prices have definitely jumped by about 15 percent," Olga said.

Olga reported the current prices for gasoline. On average in the city, the price for A-92 gasoline has risen to 68 rubles 77 kopecks per liter, A-95 (the most scarce brand) – to 76 rubles, A-98 – to 97 rubles.

Lawyer Sergey Kunitsky explained that he, as a consumer, tries to refuel with A-98 gasoline from Tatneft. According to him, the unlimited price for this brand at gas stations on the Moscow highway is currently 100 rubles per liter. His car's tank holds 80 liters. This fuel reserve usually lasts Sergey one to two weeks.

"I heard that Lukoil (in Volgograd) is operating at 30% (of its capacity). But this is not certain, although there (at Lukoil gas stations) gasoline is often unavailable," Kunitsky told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

Politician Ilya Kravchenko believes the reason for the fuel crisis in the region is a "crisis of power."

"This will now be constant; we need to get used to the lines. Here, either there are lines, or gasoline costs 140 rubles (per liter). We have returned to the USSR in its worst form," Ilya stated.

In his opinion, the crisis manifests itself in a systemic ignoring of reality and an absolute orientation towards the benefit of a narrow group of oligarchs.

Dmitry, living in the Krasnoarmeysky district of the regional center, agreed with the politician Kravchenko's opinion. He stated that the authorities are not coping with the crisis – neither federal nor regional. According to the interlocutor, the head of the region, Andrey Bocharov, and officials from the regional industry department "look confused" when talking about the fuel shortage.

"The authorities are powerless. All their assurances that there is no shortage and that they are exercising some control – this is bluff," he pointed out.

On Lazorevaya Street, by evening, there was no gasoline at four Lukoil gas stations. At the others - long lines.

Dmitry reported that starting from Monday (October 5), by the end of the day, "almost all gas stations in the Krasnoarmeysky district began to run out of gasoline." "Today, on Lazorevaya Street, by evening, there was no gasoline at four Lukoil gas stations. At the others - long lines. At Gazprom gas stations, strangely enough, there was gasoline. But I don't refuel there – I have serious doubts about the quality of their gasoline," Dmitry said.

Volgograd historian Andrey Kudинов also believes that the regional authorities are not coping with the (fuel) crisis.

"They (officials of the regional administration) do not know what to do in such a situation: where to get fuel - it is unclear, the situation in neighboring regions is not better. Save yourself if you can – this is the unspoken motto of the authorities," Kudинов said.

According to Kudинов, he solved the fuel problem simply – his car has been in a relative's garage for the second month. Andrey and his family members use public transport.

"But you can't travel much on minibuses and buses. Tickets to Volzhsky have become expensive. Visiting relatives in Krasnoslobodsk, and especially in Ilovlinsky district, is no longer feasible for minor reasons. We closed the season at the dacha. Maybe in a month we will go there for a barbecue, and that's all. We have significantly reduced our movements," the Volgograd historian admitted.

Former Volgograd farmer Andrey Proshakov called the problem of gasoline shortages in the Volgograd region "psychological inconveniences for the population," which "certainly irritate and distract citizens." However, according to Proshakov, the fuel crisis has not affected farmers in the Lower Volga region, as diesel fuel has always been in sufficient supply.

The regional authorities have always helped farmers – both with subsidies and benefits for fuel purchases.

"I constantly communicate with farmers (in the Volgograd region). They have no problem with fuel. If anyone had a shortage, they could always borrow (diesel) from neighbors. The regional authorities have always helped farmers – both with subsidies and benefits for fuel purchases. The harvest was successfully gathered, although grain prices fell to 4 rubles (per kilogram). But farmers still managed to work without losses," Andrey Proshakov said.