Residents of Russian border regions are increasingly driving to Kazakhstan to fill up their cars. Social media is buzzing with videos showing fuel prices at Kazakh gas stations. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
One such video was recorded by auto blogger Alexei Epishchenko. He stopped at a Qazaq Oil gas station in Uralsk, about 200 km from Samara, and showed current gasoline prices. According to his estimate, after conversion to Russian currency, the fuel cost looks like this:
"As you understand, it's twice as cheap as ours. Although this is not the cheapest gas station. It's mind-boggling that it's really just a couple of hours drive from us," the blogger says.
Other Russians are posting similar videos. In one, a girl shows prices at a Kazakh gas station, and her companion notes that gasoline costs about 50 rubles per liter. The authors also point out that currency exchange is available right at the gas station.
Interest in Kazakh gas stations has grown amid fuel problems in Russia. According to Russian media, many regions have introduced refueling limits, queues have formed at gas stations in dozens of cities, and some stations have even closed.
Now residents of border regions prefer to drive to Kazakhstan, where fuel is still available without restrictions and is significantly cheaper.
Kazakh experts have also begun to talk about "fuel tourism." They note that if the flow of Russian motorists continues to grow, it could increase the burden on gas stations in border regions.
At the same time, the Ministry of Energy previously stated that there is no shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel in Kazakhstan. According to the ministry, fuel reserves meet standards, and the situation on the domestic market remains stable.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that Russian truckers drive to Kazakhstan to refuel for savings. Meanwhile, economists have warned that after the abandonment of state regulation, gasoline prices in Kazakhstan may rise over time.