Astrakhan drivers considered the prices at gas stations to be inflated.

There are no longer queues at gas stations in Astrakhan, and the overall tension due to fuel shortages has decreased, but gasoline prices have not returned to pre-crisis levels, drivers surveyed by "Caucasian Knot" stated.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", Rosstat reported in early November a decrease in prices for automotive fuel in 61 regions of Russia, with the most significant drop in prices occurring in Kalmykia and Kabardino-Balkaria. This refers to price reductions at private gas stations, where prices were significantly inflated during the shortage; no significant changes occurred at federal gas stations, local residents reported.

A correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" asked Astrakhan drivers about the current situation in the fuel sales sector in the region. The survey is not representative and reflects only the private opinions of respondents.

Prices for fuel in the Astrakhan region are lower than in neighboring regions, believes 50-year-old utility engineer Nikolai Kurychev. The man reported that he filled his car with A-92 gasoline at the "Lukoil" station in Narimanov at a price of 66.5 rubles per liter. According to the interlocutor, there were no queues at that station (at 13:30 Moscow time on November 9), nor were there any restrictions on sales volumes.

"The 95-octane cost 72 rubles, the 100-octane – 97.8 rubles, and diesel fuel was below 78 rubles. This is cheaper than, for example, in Volgograd and Kalmykia. But the price level is still too high. Inflation is felt on a physical level," Kurychev explained.

Lawyer Marat confirmed Kurychev's observations – he also believes that "prices in Astrakhan compared to other regions are lower."

"I filled up in the morning of November 9 during peak hours on Gas Station Street, on the way out of the city. There was a small queue – about ten cars at each pump, I waited half an hour. There are no restrictions on refueling, but I didn't see drivers filling cans with gasoline. Apparently, everyone has calmed down – the excitement has dropped to zero," Marat said, adding that he did not notice the availability of A-100 gasoline.

32-year-old car owner Sergey Amirhanov saw A-100 gasoline at the "Lukoil" station located on Magistralnaya Street, priced at 97.85 rubles per liter.

"Mainly, they sell A-92 and A-95, the 100-octane is almost nowhere to be found. I don't know what this is related to. I think gasoline prices here are very high. Although I heard that, for example, in the neighboring Volgograd region and in Dagestan, prices are higher than ours. Our "Gazprom" is working well. I hope there will be no interruptions," Amirhanov shared his expectations.

20-year-old student Alexey Smirnov fills his old car with AI-92 gasoline. He prefers to use the services of "Gazprom" and "Lukoil" gas stations. Alexey admitted that he only drives the car with his father for fishing.

"We try not to drive the car too much, we save. Life has become much more expensive now. I still need to finish my studies; I am not a good helper in the family. So we save, including on gasoline," the student confessed. Alexey believes that fuel prices in the region are "significantly inflated": in his opinion, "at least twice."

Astrakhan political scientist Mikhail Dolieyev* told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot" that "sharp surges of excitement and abnormal queues," observed during peak supply disruptions and repairs at oil refineries, "have generally subsided." According to Mikhail, now refueling during normal hours takes Astrakhan residents a standard time of five to 15 minutes.

"However, during peak hours or when fuel trucks are delayed at private gas stations, local accumulations of cars are still possible. Popular brands (AI-92 and AI-95) are available at almost all major network gas stations – "Lukoil", "Gazprom", and others. High-octane gasoline (AI-100/98) remains the most "vulnerable" position. Due to more complex logistics and lower production volumes, it is not available at every station, mainly only at flagship gas stations of large networks. Temporary difficulties with AI-100 are occasionally observed for one or two days until the next fuel truck arrives," the political scientist explained.

There are currently no official strict limits on gasoline sales at most major network gas stations in the Astrakhan region, but during local supply delays, small independent gas stations sometimes impose temporary internal restrictions on fuel dispensing into cans to prevent resource buyouts by resellers, noted Dolieyev*.

Dolieyev* confirmed that gasoline prices have not decreased to the level that existed before the crisis. According to him, the market has recorded new price benchmarks.

"The main factor of social tension remains the prices, which have settled at a high plateau (AI-95 exceeds 71-72 rubles, and AI-100 approaches 98 rubles per liter). Citizens do not see a return to previous prices, which creates a feeling of "creeping inflation." The quality and assortment at major network stations have stabilized, although premium brands like AI-100 are still sold selectively. Any new logistical failure can quickly provoke an emotional reaction from car owners and a renewed rush to buy fuel in cans," he summarized.

Sales of gasoline in special metal or certified plastic cans are currently allowed. However, some drivers, according to Dolieyev*, use plastic containers not intended for petroleum products to store fuel, which gas stations do not dispense gasoline into: "after filling the tank, they then drain it in their garage."

* included in the register of foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice of Russia.

** the activities of the Meta company (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are prohibited in Russia.