Mongolia’s Fuel Shortages Reveal a Deeper Energy Crisis

Mongolia’s recurring energy shortages expose a systemic failure to diversify beyond its powerful neighbours.

Mongolia recently faced acute fuel shortages. In October, motorists in Ulaanbaatar reported two-hour waits and hundreds-of-meters-long queues for A-92 gasoline.

By mid-October, at least ten provinces were rationing fuel, with gas stations in Khovd and Dornod limiting daily sales.The government blamed Russian refinery maintenance and logistical delays, but this was no isolated disruption. The crisis has become an annual ritual — the product of long neglect rather than bad luck.

By early November, supply began stabilizing as new shipments arrived from Russia and distributors prioritized urban centers.

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