Lviv, Odesa, and Ivano-Frankivsk Regions Lead in the Ranking of Illegal Gas Stations*
Almost a quarter of all illegal gas stations* in Ukraine are operating in the Lviv region, with 10% each in the Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, according to data from the interactive map on PerevirAZS.info
The Ukrainian Oil and Gas Association (UOGA) has updated the data on its interactive resource, PerevirAZS.info, which collects public complaints about gas stations suspected of violating Ukrainian law. As of September 2024, the number of gas stations with signs of illegal activity in Ukraine has risen again, reaching 419 locations. Leading the list are the Lviv region with 98 illegal stations (23%), followed by Odesa (42 stations, 10%) and Ivano-Frankivsk (41 stations, 10%).
Despite government efforts, illegal gas stations continue to operate, undermining the economy, creating unfair competition for legitimate market participants, and posing risks to citizens and surrounding infrastructure.
The President of UOGA, Yaroslav Starovoytenko, stated: “During the war, legitimate operators of the oil and gas market face enormous difficulties. They not only pay taxes but also provide additional support to Ukraine’s defense forces, which has become a trend among responsible businesses. At the same time, illegal market players sell counterfeit fuel, evade taxes, and ignore safety requirements, both for the public and their employees. This allows them to offer fuel at prices sometimes lower than cost, creating unfair competition and significantly reducing tax revenue.”
Mr. Starovoytenko emphasized: “This situation distorts the market, weakens the economy, and reduces the financial resources needed to support the country’s defense.”
The Ukrainian Oil and Gas Association calls on the Cabinet of Ministers, the State Tax Service, and the Temporary Investigative Commission to conduct additional inspections of sites suspected of illegal operations. Illegal gas stations must either legalize their activities or leave the market. Only then can tax revenue be increased to fund the defense forces and ensure public safety.
For more information, visit the interactive map at PerevirAZS.info
Ranking of Ukrainian Regions by Number of Illegal Gas Stations*
(as of September 2024)
| Region | Number of illegal gas stations*
(September 2024) |
Percentage share
(September 2024) |
| Lviv | 98 | 23% |
| Ivano-Frankivsk | 41 | 10% |
| Odesa | 42 | 10% |
| Kyiv Region | 31 | 7% |
| Dnipropetrovsk | 29 | 7% |
| Mykolaiv | 28 | 7% |
| Kharkiv | 27 | 6% |
| Rivne | 19 | 5% |
| Cherkasy | 16 | 4% |
| Khmelnytskyi | 13 | 3% |
| Zaporizhzhia | 11 | 3% |
| Kyiv (City) | 9 | 2% |
| Vinnytsia | 8 | 2% |
| Chernivtsi | 8 | 2% |
| Zhytomyr | 8 | 2% |
| Volyn | 7 | 2% |
| Ternopil | 7 | 2% |
| Zakarpattia | 6 | 1% |
| Kirovohrad | 5 | 1% |
| Poltava | 3 | 1% |
| Chernihiv | 3 | 1% |
| Kherson | 0 | 0% |
| Total | 419 | 100% |
*Illegal gas stations are defined as fuel retail outlets that operate in violation of Ukrainian law, including the absence of fiscal receipts, stations working in “test mode,” lack of customer information, violations of urban planning regulations, absence of fire safety equipment, or sales from makeshift vehicles or garages.
The Oil and Gas Association of Ukraine is an industry organization representing the interests of the largest players in the oil and gas market. Its members include major national, international, private, and state enterprises such as WOG, OKKO, Shell, AMIC Ukraine, SOCAR, KLO, UPG, Orlen, Parallel, Ukrgazvydobuvannya, and Ukrnafta. The Association actively participates in the development of national legislation, addresses sector issues, and collaborates with government agencies, private enterprises, and media to ensure adherence to European service standards and protect the interests of its members.
