Russia's Siberian republic of Altai has introduced a digital tracking system to enforce gasoline rationing measures, requiring drivers to present vehicle registration cards before purchasing fuel as authorities seek to manage supplies during the country's worsening fuel crisis.

Governor Andrei Turchak announced that the new 24-hour refueling limit will take effect on Thursday as part of a digital monitoring system designed to prevent drivers from exceeding fuel quotas, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Moscow Times.

Under the new rules, motorists will be required to present their vehicle registration certificates when purchasing gasoline or diesel at local filling stations.

“This is necessary to curb the panic buying and surging demand we are currently seeing in [the regional capital of] Gorno-Altaysk and across all districts of the republic,” Turchak wrote on Telegram.

The digital tracking system builds on a two-month fuel rationing regime that has been in force across the Altai republic since July 1.

Under the existing restrictions, districts accounting for around 60% of the republic's population of approximately 210,000 residents are limited to 30 liters (8 gallons) of gasoline and 50 liters (13 gallons) of diesel per driver each day. In the remaining districts, motorists are allowed to purchase up to 50 liters (13 gallons) of gasoline and 100 liters (26 gallons) of diesel daily. Filling jerry cans or canisters is also regulated and requires the presentation of a vehicle registration card, with purchases capped at 10 liters (2.5 gallons).

Turchak warned that drivers who exceed the established limits will face fines. The rationing measures are currently scheduled to remain in place until Sept. 1, although authorities may extend them if necessary.

“We need to ensure that the established restrictions are followed at the pumps and that everyone is on a level playing field,” the governor said.

He added that the restrictions do not apply to essential services, including ambulances, emergency rescue teams, police and farmers. Turchak also said regional government officials would reduce official travel and instead hold meetings via video conference to help conserve fuel.

Despite the strict rationing measures, the governor insisted that the Altai republic has a “secured reserve stock” of fuel and that gas stations continue to receive daily fuel deliveries.

Meanwhile, similar restrictions may soon be introduced in other Russian regions. Reports indicate that gas stations in the Nizhny Novgorod and Lipetsk regions are considering adopting a system already introduced in the Oryol region, under which vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers are allowed to refuel only on odd-numbered days, while vehicles with even-numbered plates and those ending in zero may refuel only on even-numbered days.

Russia has been grappling with severe fuel shortages across multiple regions as Ukraine continues its drone campaign targeting Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure, with Kyiv increasingly striking facilities located farther from its own territory.