Pavel Polityuk and Jonathan Landay

KYIV/BUCHA (Reuters) – Olha Boholey had to wait at least one hour after pulling into the queue of cars crawling towards the sole service station that sold gasoline in Bucha, a devastated Kyiv suburb.

She could only buy 10 litres of gasoline if she got to the pump in time.

As she waited, the 37-yearold lawyer stated that “the lack of gasoline is really restricting what we can accomplish.” “I don’t even know what else you can do.”

Boholey and millions of other Ukrainian civilians likely face several weeks – possibly longer – of fuel disruptions due to Moscow’s attacks on energy infrastructure, transportation bottlenecks and a supply cutoff by Russia and Belarus.

Volodymyr Zeleskiy, the Ukrainian president has committed to taking steps to stop the shortages which have caused closure of approximately half of the country’s nearly 7,000 fuel stations. This has also created long lines for those who are short on supplies.

Dmytro Mysko who owns three BRSM Oil services stations said that the increased demand for fuel in Kyiv has contributed to the problem.

Mysko stated that “because of people returning, the demand has increased several times.” He said that one of his stations had served about twice its usual daily volume, which was around 400 cars per day. However, it ran out of gas last weekend.

Serhiykuyun from A95 Consulting Group said the solution was only a matter time.

“I believe that May is the right time to make it happen and I’m hopeful that June will bring us a stable supply.”

“I don’t worry at all about what the army is doing. “We have ample reserves prepared for them,” said he, noting that there are also reserves for municipal service. “The private consumer will suffer the most.”

MOVING SUPPLIES

Zelenskiy stated last Friday, “The occupiers are intentionally destroying the infrastructure to produce, supply and store fuel.”

Officials from the government and industry said that Russian Navy and Sea Mines had blocked country’s Black Sea ports, stopping tankers replenishing stock.

Yulia Syrydenko, Economy Minister of Ukraine stated in a statement the lack of supplies would be eradicated by this week’s end as Ukrainian retailers have secured deals with European suppliers.

Distributing those supplies can be difficult because many bridges and highways are damaged or destroyed. Multiple security checkpoints also slow traffic.

Russian forces engaged in a Russian “special operation” to protect Ukraine from fascists and disarm it, attacked the Kremenchuk refinery last week. They also destroyed 20 large depots.

Kuyun, Kuyun, and a source from the government who spoke under anonymity, said that Ukraine used approximately 2.4 million tons of gasoline and 8 million tonnes diesel between 2021 and 2021.

Kuyun reports that 80 percent was imported from oil products in the country before World War II. Russia and Belarus supplied 62% of gasoline, and 44% diesel.

These sources could be replaced with imported European products through the country’s vast railroad network, according to military sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The situation regarding fuel is stable because of agreements at times the highest levels. One military source declined to comment, but said that we are now transporting nearly everywhere.

The disclosure of strategic information was made illegal under Ukrainian law during the war.

An anonymous government source said Russian strikes at petroleum depots had led the government “to disperse fuel stock to avoid further attacks.”

Kuyun claims that the fuel traders are also avoiding stockpiling fuel by spreading fuel to filling stations. They have increased their source of imports including an effort to bring diesel to China.

He stated, “This is a unique program.”