Putin Deploys National Guard to Gas Stations as Second Wave of Fuel Crisis Hits Russia

A second wave of Russia's fuel crisis intensified as gasoline was available at only 28% of gas stations nationwide, down from 41% a week earlier, following sustained Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. Gazprom Neft and Tatneft reimposed purchase limits (50-60 liters per customer) across at least 13 regions. A Russian insider source reported Putin deployed Rosgvardia (National Guard) personnel to at least 13 gas stations in Moscow Oblast and occupied Crimea to manage unrest and physical altercations among motorists competing to refuel, ahead of September State Duma elections.