Russia is in talks with Kazakhstan to import about 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline as it seeks to ease domestic fuel shortages caused by refinery outages and Ukrainian drone strikes, Reuters reported on Thursday, June 25, citing four industry sources.
According to Reuters, gasoline production at several major refineries in central Russia has fallen by about 25% compared with the same period last year after repeated Ukrainian drone attacks and unplanned maintenance disrupted operations.
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Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov said Astana had not received an official request from Moscow, while Russia’s Energy Ministry did not immediately comment.
Russia considers imports as shortages deepen
Reuters reported that the Russian government is weighing several measures to stabilize the domestic fuel market, including restricting fuel exports, increasing subsidies for refineries and importing gasoline – an unusual move for one of the world’s largest fuel exporters.
Earlier this month, Moscow also allowed refineries to produce gasoline and diesel meeting lower quality standards for domestic consumption and is reportedly planning seaborne gasoline imports.
Industry sources told Reuters that Kazakhstan could potentially supply gasoline and diesel fuel in exchange for Russian jet fuel, as Kazakhstan is expected to face shortages during refinery maintenance scheduled from June 26 to July 20.
Refinery attacks strain Russia’s fuel sector
The latest development follows months of disruptions to Russia’s refining industry caused by Ukrainian long-range drone attacks targeting oil refineries and fuel infrastructure.
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Earlier this week, The Moscow Times reported that authorities had introduced gasoline and diesel sales restrictions in 22 Russian regions as fuel shortages spread across the country. Regional officials cited rising demand and logistical disruptions, while the measures came amid repeated attacks on Russian refining facilities.
Earlier, a fuel depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region caught fire after what Russian authorities described as a drone attack. It was the second reported strike on the same facility in less than two weeks. Local officials said the blaze broke out at the Poltavskaya oil depot after falling drone debris ignited the site, while nearby roads were temporarily closed.
According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, air defenses intercepted 269 Ukrainian drones overnight during the same wave of attacks. Kyiv has not officially commented on the attacks.
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