Thread by @ChrisO_wiki

1/ Russian soldiers say they are facing a "catastrophic shortage" of fuel at the front lines due to Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries. Far less is available now, it's more expensive, and it's only being issued for vehicles owned by the army – excluding vast numbers in use. ⬇️

2/ Soldiers interviewed by the independent Russian news site Verska says that a "catastrophic shortage" has made the situation "a complete mess". Just like civilians, the military is now being rationed to only 20 litres of gasoline per vehicle per day.

3/ The Russian army is also only issuing fuel to vehicles with military licence plates. As the vast majority of frontline vehicles (reportedly up to 90%) are privately owned, either by soldiers themselves or donated to them, this policy is likely having a big effect on mobility.

4/ The reduction in fuel availability is affecting both combat and logistics vehicles. Soldiers are also complaining about the poor quality of the lower-octane fuel that they are receiving, which is causing motors to fail due to its adulteration and likely contamination.

5/ There have already been indications from Ukrainian drone videos that Russian vehicles have been breaking down or running out of fuel during combat operations. It's likely that this reflects the impact of the fuel crisis.

6/ Gasoline is essential for frontline life, with soldiers relying on generators to power their bunkers. The lack of fuel for logistics vehicles is forcing them to walk more often on foot – up to 11 km (7 miles) each way – to get supplies, exposing themselves to drone attacks.

7/ The frequency of new fuel deliveries has also become erratic. One soldier says: "They can't deliver, or they run out, and it takes a long time for new fuel to arrive, and so on."

8/ One unfortunate result of the reduction in military fuel supplies is that there's now less available for the soldiers to resell for their own gain, even though the profit is now much greater. They "borrow" fuel and sell it to civilians for 350 roubles ($4.48) per litre.

9/ However, this traditional perk is much less lucrative than it used to be, due to the fuel shortage. A soldier called Ivan laments that while "fuel and lubricants were stolen by the ton" before, there simply isn't enough to sell now.

10/ Civilians are now able to gouge the soldiers by selling them fuel for personal vehicles, generators, chainsaws, and other equipment – for which the army won't provide fuel – at five to six times the usual price, on the limited occasions when it is actually available.

11/ Increasingly, soldiers are having to travel back to the "mainland" – the Russian side of the border – and bring fuel back with them in canisters, or wait for other soldiers to bring it to them.

12/ This is having a big impact on their personal expenses. One soldier says that he was spending 50,000 rubles ($639) a month on gasoline but is now facing a 70,000 ruble ($895) monthly bill. 40% of his salary is being consumed by logistical expenses.

13/ "We buy everything ourselves, generators are running out fast, plus cigarettes, sweets, and I also pay for food delivery and water with gas."

Russian soldiers typically obtain equipment such as generators for themselves, rather than registering it with their regiment.

14/ This is because if it becomes an 'official' asset, it can be confiscated and transferred elsewhere if the need arises, leaving the purchaser with nothing. The Russian army doesn't provide such essential equipment itself, with soldiers dependent on purchases and donations.

15/ The fuel crisis is also severely affecting volunteer logistics. Civilian providers of 'humanitarian aid' to the army are having to do fundraisers to buy gasoline, or request donations of gasoline from civilian allocations. /end

Source:
verstka.media/zhopa-polnejsh…