China has begun supplying fuel to Russia amid a worsening shortage caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries.
This is indicated by Russian media reports on the situation at the Zabaikalsk automobile checkpoint—one of the largest transport hubs on the Russia-China border.
As The Moscow Times writes, Zabaikalsky Krai governor Alexander Osipov issued a decree banning all trucks from passing through the Zabaikalsk checkpoint from July 3, with the exception of vehicles carrying fuel.
The document explained this by saying that gasoline tankers were stuck in long lines alongside other trucks.
In practice, however, the decision would have blocked a major flow of imports from China. Federal authorities quickly canceled the decree, and its draft disappeared from the official website.
On July 3, trucks crossed the border at Zabaikalsk as usual. Employees of logistics and transport companies confirmed this.
Russia Loses About 25% of Gasoline Production After Strikes on Refineries
Lukoil’s Largest Refinery Halts Oil Processing After Drone Attack
Ukraine Strikes Two Russian Oil Refineries Overnight, in Krasnodar Krai and Yaroslavl Region
Drone Attack in Nizhny Novgorod Kills One