REUTERS
A conflict over contraband gasoline has broken out in Luhansk, with the leaders of the Luhansk People’s Republic militant organization demanding that the Cossack group of militants provide fuel “for the needs of the republic,” head of the Information Resistance group Dymtro Tymchuk wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.
The Cossack group of fighters has cornered the market in fuel illegally brought into Ukraine in part by Russia’s “humanitarian convoys,” according to Tymchuk.
"There is a gasoline war involving the LNR "Cossack" fighters, who control 80% of the gas stations in the south of Luhansk region,” Tymchuk said.
“The fuel in these areas comes from Russia in two ways – convoys (10 to 15 fuelling vehicles in each column, escorted by armed guards) and through previously arranged contraband routes," Tymchuk wrote.
After a confrontation at the end of January, two gas stations controlled by the Cossacks were burned down as a result of "sabotage,” Tymchuk said.