Social media users complained about restrictions on gasoline sales in the Volgograd region.

At a gas station in the Volgograd region, the driver was offered to come after one o'clock in the morning to buy gasoline without using a fuel card, although it is not certain that it will still be available by then. Users complained about the fuel shortage at gas stations. Bots intervened in the discussion, trying to assure commentators that this is a normal situation.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", as of July 7, more than half of the gas stations in Volgograd are closed, and queues are forming at all open gas stations. Authorities insist that fuel supplies are timely and sufficient, and the crisis is caused by "artificial hype".

Users complained about refusals to refuel and lack of fuel

Drivers in Volgograd reported mass refusals from gas station operators to refuel cars for money. To fill the tank with the coveted 20 liters, gas stations require fuel cards for legal entities and agencies, writes V1.

"I live across the Volga, in a village where there is no public transport. A car for me is not a luxury, but a means of transportation. Which will soon turn into real estate simply because I can't refuel it — gas stations require a fuel card issued to a legal entity. My husband has two active companies, and he is ready to sign a contract, purchase these fuel cards — but I spent a whole day calling everyone who could somehow solve this issue at the regional office of the oil company — in vain. I still haven't received an answer on how to do this," the publication quotes a reader's comment on its Telegram channel.

Special conditions for fuel card holders have been in effect since June 25. They were introduced as part of restrictions on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel at gas stations in the region. If a gas station runs out of fuel, the company may temporarily stop selling it. However, a small supply of gasoline may be left for holders of prepaid fuel cards, the publication states.

The message had 38 comments by 19:00 Moscow time.

Vera Novikova wrote that in the network where she encountered such a situation, they do not provide any information over the phone. "They suggested coming after one o'clock in the morning, but it is not certain that there will be gasoline, just that their program will supposedly unlock for individuals. My husband is on a business trip, I have to either take two children and drag them with me, or leave them at home at my own risk and rush to the gas station to look for gasoline, all this while there is an ongoing drone threat. Great support measures," she commented.

"We are guests in Volgograd. There were no news anywhere about the terrible fuel situation. We passed through 3 regions. Here it’s the worst. On the way from Saratov, we barely found a gas station. We stood in line for 3 hours. We filled 20 liters with a scandal. Otherwise, we would have just been left in the field. Now, instead of sightseeing, we will be looking for gasoline in the city to leave. Even at triple the price," writes Anastasia *****.

"I was also driving. On the way there, everything was fine, but on the way back - we were stuck. At the gas station, they told me that there was no point in refueling with our Krasnodar gasoline, I should stay home..." said Alexander, who recently returned from Krasnodar Krai.

"Did the officials forget to inform the people about their decisions?" asked Elena.

Bots intervened in the discussion

At the same time, calming comments also appeared in the comments.

"Honestly, I think that the gasoline limits are quite normal, there will definitely be enough fuel for all the little things and long trips!" — wrote Nadezhda Agapova.

"Long trips with a 20-liter limit — what is that? To 'Magnit', home, and back to the gas station?" — protested Alexander.

Similar calming responses were published by users with the nicknames Vyacheslav Fetisov, Slava Kupriyanov.

"The 'everything is fine' caste has swooped in," commented Ordinary Citizen.

User Marina noted that she doesn't even see how the bots "write messages", as in her opinion, they just copy text.

"Bots were hired with our own money to tell us how well we are living now. To what end? To annoy people even more?" — asked Alexander.

"Do the people who ensure the operation of these bots in the comments realize how much this additionally heats up the public?" — asked a user with the nickname Ball of Rage.

The availability of gasoline interested commentators

Users inquired about the availability of gasoline at gas stations.

"Where can we see which gas stations have 95 gasoline available for ordinary citizens?" - asked Andrey Trushin.

"There is no reliable information anywhere," replied Elena.

"A bunch of services have appeared showing gas stations with fuel. But the creators themselves complain about manipulations..." - writes Ordinary Citizen.

According to the service "GdeBENZ" (Gdebenz.ru), as of 18:59 Moscow time today, there is no information about the availability of gasoline at some gas stations in Volgograd (marked with gray markers), most have no gasoline (red markers) or have long queues (orange markers). The Gdebenz.ru service is based on user reports, so the information displayed on the map is not official. "Caucasian Knot" does not have the ability to promptly verify the accuracy of the information published by users.