Irkutsk Police Fine Gasoline Scalpers as Governor Declares ‘High Alert’ Over Supply Problems

June 29, 2026 @mvd_38 / Telegram Law enforcement authorities in Siberia’s Irkutsk region said Monday that they fined four people accused of reselling gasoline at inflated prices, coming after the local governor ordered a crackdown on price gouging as the region battles fuel shortages. Irkutsk regional police said one of those fined had been caught trying to sell gasoline near a filling station. The other three were selling gasoline online, charging as much as 250 per liter ($12.15 per gallon). The average price of gasoline in Russia has climbed 9.8% since the start of the year, with a single-week surge pushing the national average to 71.20 rubles per liter ($3.47 per gallon) as of June 22. In Irkutsk, the average price of gasoline hovered just below 71 rubles per liter, according to weekly data from the state statistics agency Rosstat. On Sunday, Irkutsk region Governor Igor Kobzev declared a state of “high alert” due to what he described as insufficient fuel shipments to the region. “This is a vital measure to prevent a crisis situation,” Kobzev wrote in a post on Telegram. Police warned that drivers caught hoarding fuel in canisters rather than filling their vehicles directly at gas stations could face steep penalties given the state of “high alert.” “Efforts to crack down on these illegal operations will continue,” the regional branch of the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Dozens of Russian regions and annexed Ukrainian territories have seen fuel rationing measures slowly introduced at gas stations in recent weeks. The disruptions arrive at a critical time, with both the peak summer travel and agricultural seasons in full swing. President Vladimir Putin admitted this weekend that Russia is facing a “certain shortage” of fuel following a wave of repeated Ukrainian strikes targeting oil refineries and domestic supply lines. Read more about: Gasoline , Regions , Irkutsk Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Annexed Crimea’s Largest Gas Station Chain Suspends Fuel Vouchers as Shortage Worsens Kremlin-backed authorities in the peninsula warned that the current fuel shortage would likely last at least another month. 2 Min read Thousands of Tourists Stuck at Lake Baikal as Ice Road Conditions Remain Hazardous Regional authorities said ice roads leading up to Olkhon Island remain unstable and dangerous to traverse by car. 1 Min read Russia’s Rusal to Shutter Major Silicon Plant as Industry Cuts Deepen The cutback adds to a growing list of Russian industrial firms reducing hours, output or staffing as economic pressures mount. 2 Min read As Russia’s Regions Battle Floods, Local Officials Hide Real Damage and Pray to God As peak flooding season hits regions across the Urals and Siberia, regional officials appear ill-prepared to manage such disasters. 3 Min read