The Russian government has imposed an immediate ban on diesel exports, the latest in a series of emergency measures aimed at shoring up domestic fuel supplies. The decision, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak after a cabinet meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin, comes as Ukrainian drone strikes cripple key parts of the country’s fuel infrastructure.
Weeks of attacks on refineries, oil depots, storage facilities and transport routes have created severe shortages of gasoline and diesel across several regions of European Russia. Authorities in some areas have already introduced rationing and are checking drivers for signs of illegal fuel dealing. The situation forced the Kremlin to convene an urgent session on Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Novak told reporters that the export ban would allow Moscow to redirect more diesel to the domestic market. He also revealed that Russia would begin importing petroleum products in July, a stark reversal for a country that once prided itself on being a major fuel exporter.
New measures and existing restrictions
– We have introduced an immediate ban on diesel exports. This will allow us to increase supplies to the domestic market. In July we will also start importing petroleum products – said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Existing restrictions remain in place. A gasoline export ban, first introduced in April, is scheduled to last until the end of July. A ban on jet fuel exports, effective from June 1, has now been extended until the end of November. The new diesel ban has no fixed end date, suggesting the government expects the crisis to persist.
Novak added that Russia is ramping up additional production volumes by sourcing products with lower environmental standards. He also confirmed the extension of zero import duties on foreign petroleum products for another year.
Imports from India and Belarus
– We are increasing additional production volumes by sourcing products of lower environmental standards. We have extended zero duties on imported petroleum products for another year – Novak stated.
To fill the gap, Russia plans to bring in gasoline and diesel by tanker from Indian refineries and by rail from Belarus. This marks a humiliating shift for a country that once supplied fuel to half of Europe. The reliance on imports highlights the severe damage inflicted on domestic refining capacity by Ukrainian drone operations.
The measures are likely to have ripple effects on global fuel markets, particularly in regions that previously relied on Russian diesel. Analysts will watch closely how quickly Russian refineries can recover and whether the import strategy will stabilise prices at home.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. MZinchenko / Shutterstock
