Russia asks businesses to work remotely amid escalating fuel crisis

Officials in Siberian regions, including Tomsk and Novosibirsk, have issued directives and recommendations. Olga Krylova, deputy governor of the Tomsk region, advised officials to plan trips more selectively and utilize remote interaction formats. In Novosibirsk, Deputy Governor Konstantin Khalzov signed a decree suggesting all businesses, except essential services, allow employees to work remotely. The decree also urges residents to limit private vehicle use and ensure they have adequate fuel for necessary journeys.

The fuel crisis has reportedly spread to nearly all of Russia's 89 regions, with only one unaffected. Some areas are implementing an odd-even system for gasoline sales to alleviate disruptions, leading to estimated wait times of up to 12 hours for drivers in certain locations. The Omsk refinery, located over 2,500 km from the front lines, is one of Russia's largest oil processing facilities.