The Russian government has extended its ban on the export of diesel, marine fuel, and gas oil by producers until Sept. 30 in an effort to stabilize a domestic market battered by Ukrainian drone strike, DW reported.
The extension adds a month to the original Aug. 31 expiration date for producers, while a broader general ban on fuel exports remains in effect until Jan. 31, 2027.
Russia is currently grappling with a second wave of fuel shortages following a record 21 Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries throughout August.
Data from EA Analytics indicates that Russian oil refining has plummeted to its lowest level in over two decades. In August, the country processed an average of just 3.8 million barrels per day, significantly below the traditional summer output of 5.3 to 5.5 million barrels per day required to meet heightened seasonal and agricultural demand.
The steep decline in refining capacity has severely impacted domestic supplies. During the first three weeks of August, gasoline production and domestic deliveries fell by nearly 20% year-on-year, while diesel production dropped by more than 23%.
Regional shortages and retail fuel limits
The refining deficit has already translated to severe retail shortages and purchase restrictions at the pump.
By mid-August, several major gas station chains in Moscow, including Gazprom Neft and Tatneft, had introduced limits ranging from 40 to 60 liters per vehicle for both gasoline and diesel. AI-95 gasoline has been particularly scarce, disappearing from numerous stations operated by Rosneft, NefteMagistral, and Teboil, as prices spiked to 120 rubles ($1.50) per liter.
While the Kremlin has attempted to shield Moscow from the worst of the crisis by redirecting gasoline from eastern Russia to the capital, the maneuver has exacerbated fuel deficits in at least 10 other regions, including Krasnodar, Primorsky, and Krasnoyarsk.
The supply squeeze is also evident in wholesale markets, with gasoline sales on Russia’s St. Petersburg exchange dropping by approximately 20% in early August.
According to S&P Global, at least 26 Russian refineries have faced shutdowns recently, with multiple facilities remaining offline through the summer. Energy analysts warn the fuel crisis could intensify further in early September as several major Russian plants and Belarus’ Novopolotsk refinery undergo scheduled seasonal maintenance.