Vologda Governor Runs Out of Gasoline After Telling Public Not to Panic Over Fuel Shortages

July 7, 2026 Vologda region Governor Georgy Filimonov. @filimonov_official The governor of the northwestern Vologda region said Monday evening that he ran out of gasoline while driving and had to hitch a ride with traffic police, just an hour after he urged residents not to give in to panic and hoard fuel amid a nationwide supply crisis. In a Telegram post addressed to Vologda residents, Governor Georgy Filimonov said he had experienced Russia’s fuel supply woes “firsthand.” “I know exactly what is happening at our gas stations right now. I fill up my own car regularly and experience this firsthand,” Filimonov wrote. “Given our current fuel supply volumes, our top priority is keeping emergency and essential vehicles fueled,” the governor added. “I ask you to view this situation with understanding, refrain from hoarding fuel and do not give in to panic.” About an hour later, Filimonov posted a follow-up voice message claiming that his car had sputtered to a halt on a roadway after running out of gasoline. He said he was forced to flag down a traffic police cruiser to continue his journey. “We’re all in the same boat and working to resolve the existing problem,” Filimonov said. The governor on Monday announced “partial limits” on retail gasoline sales to motorists, claiming that regional demand for fuel has doubled while wholesale shipments from refineries have stagnated. Filimonov said his administration is in talks with Russia’s Energy Ministry and Lukoil — which owns 90% of the gas stations in the Vologda region — to aggressively ramp up deliveries. “If we handle this rationally and stay disciplined, we can prevent an artificial shortage,” the governor said. Since June, Russian regions have increasingly faced higher gasoline prices at the pump and, in some cases, outright shortages as a result of Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and fuel supply networks. Nationwide, retail gasoline prices have climbed 11.6% since January, hitting an average of 72.38 rubles per liter ($3.52 per gallon) as of June 29. Read more about: Vologda , Gasoline , Regions 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 Regions Calling: As Fuel Crisis Widens, Russia's Regions Brace for the Worst Fuel shortages triggered by Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and supply networks are transforming lives across Russia’s regions. What comes next? 7 Min read Crimea Suspends Gasoline Sales and Distribution of Fuel Vouchers Authorities in the annexed peninsula did not say when they expected sales to resume at local gas stations. 2 Min read Vologda Region Reports Zero Abortions in July Amid Governor’s Pro-Natal Campaign Vologda region governor Georgy Filimonov has led a yearlong anti-abortion campaign, vowing to make Vologda the first region to ban the procedure in both... 1 Min read Vologda Governor Backtracks on Migrant Worker Ban After Severstal Warning Severstal warned that the ban threatened “dozens of industrial and social construction projects” due to an “acute shortage” of local labor. 1 Min read