Ukrainian attacks prompt Russian-held Crimea to halt civilian gasoline sales

Ukrainian attacks prompt Russian-held Crimea to halt civilian gasoline sales 1 of 2 | In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier practices military skills at a training ground near the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP) 2 of 2 | In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers practice military skills at a training ground near the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP) By The Associated Press Updated 11:43 AM MESZ, June 21, 2026 Leer en español Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Officials in Russia-occupied Crimea suspended civilian gasoline sales Sunday as Ukraine ramped up attacks on fuel supplies on the Black Sea peninsula. Gov. Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head o Crimea, said that overnight Ukrainian strikes killed four people and wounded 28 others. He did not specify the target of the attack. He later wrote on social media that local gas stations would halt all sales to non-state companies and individuals for an undefined period. “Fuel will be sold only to government agencies that ensure the functioning and security of the Crimea" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="150022" data-entity-type="location">Republic of Crimea,” Aksyonov said. “I ask everyone to remain calm and to only trust official sources of information.” Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted fuel supplies to Crimea in recent weeks, triggering the worst energy crisis in the region since it was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement Sunday that a Crimean oil depot, as well as an oil transport facility in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region were among the targets. He described the attacks as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” against Russia’s energy infrastructure. Russia strikes an apartment building in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and 1 person is killed 2 MIN READ Zelenskyy returns Poland’s highest honor after Polish leader revokes it in a spat over history 3 MIN READ 97 Polish president strips Zelenskyy of honor over naming of army unit after notorious WWII group 2 MIN READ 80 “Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is certainly working for peace,” he wrote. Russian officials in Krasnodar reported earlier Sunday that a drone strike sparked a fire at a Black Sea oil terminal in the village of Chushka. They said that Ukrainian attacks struck a ferry, killing one person. The Crimean peninsula has had periodic fuel shortages from Ukrainian strikes before, but the current crisis is the worst since its 2014 annexation. At the end of May, authorities restricted the sale of gas to 20 liters (5 1/3 gallons) per vehicle owner per week, using prepaid coupons. Those were snapped up immediately following their release on an official messaging app channel, and motorists lined up for hours, waiting to refuel. Social networks have been abuzz with requests and advice on where to find fuel, and authorities launched a hotline for tourists in the area who have found themselves trapped. Some motorists bring their own gas from Krasnodar and elsewhere via the Kerch bridge, but they are restricted to carrying 100 liters (about 26 1/2 gallons) per vehicle. Some speculators are selling gas at double the market price. In a rare public acknowledgment, the Kremlin has recognized the scope of the problem and promised to address the issue quickly. However, Ukraine’s successes have highlighted its ability to inflict painful damage on Russia and change the course of the conflict while Moscow’s advances recently have ground to a near halt. On June 11, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine reached its 1,569th day, surpassing the duration of World War I. Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/Russia-Ukraine