Lviv, Odesa, and Kyiv Regions in Top the List for Illegal Petrol Stations

22 May 2025

Nearly 60% of all illicit petrol stations in Ukraine are concentrated in just five regions: Lviv, Odesa, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Dnipropetrovsk. This is according to the latest data from the interactive map hosted on PerevirAZS.info.

The Oil and Gas Association of Ukraine (NAU) has recently updated the information on PerevirAZS.info, an interactive platform that aggregates public complaints regarding the operation of petrol stations suspected of breaching current legislation. As of May 2025, the number of petrol stations exhibiting signs of unlawful activity stands at 428 nationwide.

The regions with the highest number of illegal petrol stations are as follows:

• Lviv Oblast — 87 stations (20%)
• Odesa Oblast — 47 stations (11%)
• Kyiv Oblast and the city of Kyiv — 44 stations (10%)
• Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast — 34 stations (8%)
• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — 29 stations (7%)

Of the 428 identified sites, over 56% are concentrated in just five regions, underscoring the chronic regional clustering of this issue.

Despite governmental efforts, illegal petrol stations continue to operate, undermining the national economy, distorting fair market competition, and posing significant risks to public safety and surrounding infrastructure.

President of the Ukrainian Oil and Gas Association (UOGA), Yaroslav Starovoytenko, emphasised:

“During the full-scale war, legitimate fuel market operators are contending with extraordinary challenges. Companies are sustaining severe losses as petrol stations and oil depots are frequently targeted by missile and drone strikes.

Nonetheless, they continue to operate reliably, pay taxes in full, supply fuel to Ukrainians—including those in frontline regions—and contribute essential revenues to the state budget. Moreover, these enterprises actively support Ukraine’s defence forces, in line with the broader trend of responsible business engagement during these times.”

“Conversely, shadow market players distribute counterfeit fuel, evade taxation, pay wages off the books, and blatantly disregard fundamental safety standards—putting both employees and the public at risk. As a result, they offer fuel at prices that at times fall below production costs. This distorts the market, weakens the economy, and reduces the financial resources vital to maintaining national defence,” the UOGA President noted.

The Ukrainian Oil and Gas Association has submitted available information regarding the locations of petrol stations suspected of operating in violation of current legislation to the State Tax Service.

Illegal fuel stations must either legalise their operations or exit the market. Only under such conditions can state budget revenues be increased to support defence capabilities and ensure the safety of the population.

Further details are available at: perevirAZS.info

Negative Ranking of Ukrainian Regions by Number of Illegal Petrol Stations
According to data from the interactive map at PerevirAZS.info (as of May 2025)

*Illegal petrol stations refer to retail fuel outlets exhibiting signs of non-compliance with Ukrainian legislation, including but not limited to the following violations:

• Failure to issue a fiscal receipt;
• Receipts indicating that the cash register is operating in test mode;
• Absence of a customer information corner, which should contain details about the station’s ownership, fuel prices, and product quality documentation;
• Location of the station in breach of urban planning regulations;
• Lack of fire-fighting equipment on site;
• Sale of fuel from tankers, jerry cans in garages, and similar unauthorised setups.

The Ukrainian Oil and Gas Association (UOGA) is an industry body representing the interests of the nation’s leading oil and gas market participants. Its membership comprises the largest wholesale, retail, extraction, and refining enterprises across the national, international, private, and public sectors. Among its members are WOG, OKKO, AMIC Ukraine, SOCAR, KLO, UPG, Orlen, Parallel, Ukrgazvydobuvannya, and Ukrnafta.

The Association plays a pivotal role in the development of the country’s legislative framework, as well as in monitoring and addressing sector-specific challenges. It maintains active cooperation with government authorities, private and public enterprises, industry and consumer associations, consulting agencies, and media outlets. Its overarching aim is to uphold and implement European service quality standards across the fuel market while safeguarding the interests of its members.