Fuel crisis pushes Russian settlers out of Crimea, HUR says
Problems with fuel, electricity, and water supply are worsening across occupied Crimea, forcing many Russians who moved to the peninsula after its illegal annexation in 2014 to return to Russia, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) said on Aug. 3.
Fuel shortages, power outages, and soaring food prices are driving Russian settlers living in Crimea back to Russia, according to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR). The crisis began after the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. In July, nearly 1.4 million people experienced simultaneous power outages, with some districts enduring blackouts for over 10 days.
HUR reported that fuel prices in Crimea and Sevastopol were 18% and 25% higher than the Russian average, despite limited availability of gasoline at service stations. Food prices also surged, with certain items being significantly more expensive in Crimea compared to Russia's Krasnodar Krai. Rental housing demand has plummeted, with daily rental rates on the southern coast falling by 30%-50%, and long-term rents in Simferopol dropping by 13%.
Tourists are avoiding Crimea due to the persisting shortages and frequent strikes by Ukrainian forces on Russian military sites. The occupation administration in Crimea has prioritized supplying the Russian military, according to HUR.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
