Russia battles renewed fuel shortages after refinery strikes
Fuel shortages have returned across parts of Russia as fresh drone strikes on oil refineries disrupt production, forcing regional authorities to tighten petrol sales and Moscow to expand emergency imports.
At least 10 regions are facing renewed pressure on filling-station supplies after conditions had improved towards the end of July. Petrol was unavailable at some stations in the Moscow region on Monday, although diesel remained more widely available. Officials have identified difficulties in Orenburg, Lipetsk, Tver, Krasnodar, Zabaykalsky, Primorsky, Krasnoyarsk, Oryol, Tuva and Khakassia.
Wholesale gasoline volumes have also weakened sharply. Sales on the St Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange have fallen by an average of about 20% since the beginning of August compared with the second half of July, indicating that the disruption extends beyond isolated retail shortages.
The renewed squeeze follows another series of Ukrainian drone attacks against refining infrastructure in late July and August. Several plants have either halted operations or suffered damage requiring prolonged repairs, reducing the ability of oil companies to convert Russia's large crude reserves into petrol and other fuels needed domestically.
One of the most significant disruptions occurred at the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in the Orenburg region after a drone attack on August 11 caused a fire and damaged processing equipment. The facility, capable of processing about 5.76 million tonnes of crude annually, equivalent to roughly 115,000 barrels a day, subsequently halted processing.
The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex in Bashkortostan was also hit as attacks reached energy facilities far from Ukraine. The refinery is one of Russia's larger oil-processing sites and forms part of a network increasingly exposed to long-range drone operations designed to restrict Moscow's capacity to produce and distribute refined fuels.
Russia's fuel difficulties had already intensified from May as refinery outages coincided with higher seasonal consumption. By July, shortages and controls had spread widely enough for the federal government to introduce measures aimed at keeping additional fuel inside the country. These included restrictions on exports, adjustments to fuel-quality requirements and greater use of imports.
Moscow extended its gasoline export ban until the end of 2026 as it sought to protect domestic availability. Diesel exports have also faced restrictions during periods of acute pressure, highlighting the government's willingness to sacrifice overseas sales when filling stations inside Russia run short.
Imports are now becoming an increasingly important part of the response. Russia has brought gasoline in by rail from Belarus and Kazakhstan while turning to seaborne supplies from Asia. An Oman-flagged tanker carrying about 68,000 tonnes of gasoline originally loaded at Vadinar arrived at the Arctic port of Vitino in early August, with the cargo being transferred to rail for domestic distribution. At least two additional gasoline cargoes are expected at Russian ports during the second half of August.
The unusual import flows underline the consequences of losing refining capacity. Russia remains one of the world's largest oil producers and exporters, but crude availability alone cannot prevent petrol shortages when conversion plants are damaged, undergoing repairs or operating below normal levels.
Authorities initially appeared to have contained the crisis by late July. Restrictions were eased or removed in several regions after supplies were redirected and imports increased. That improvement proved fragile as another sequence of refinery strikes tightened the market again.
Regional responses have varied according to the severity of local shortages. Some authorities have restricted the quantity drivers can purchase, while others have tightened controls over retail pricing or prioritised deliveries to essential users. Orenburg introduced particularly strict controls after the disruption at Orsk, reflecting concern that local supplies could deteriorate while refinery operations remain suspended.
The shortages are also exposing weaknesses in Russia's internal fuel logistics. Refined products often need to be moved over vast distances by pipeline, rail and road, meaning production losses at individual refineries can create shortages hundreds or thousands of kilometres away. Redirecting fuel to one vulnerable territory can consequently reduce availability elsewhere.
The government has said oil companies are increasing deliveries to the areas under greatest pressure. The continuing fall in exchange sales, however, suggests the domestic market remains vulnerable to additional refinery shutdowns at a time when summer travel and agricultural activity are maintaining demand.
At least 10 regions are facing renewed pressure on filling-station supplies after conditions had improved towards the end of July. Petrol was unavailable at some stations in the Moscow region on Monday, although diesel remained more widely available. Officials have identified difficulties in Orenburg, Lipetsk, Tver, Krasnodar, Zabaykalsky, Primorsky, Krasnoyarsk, Oryol, Tuva and Khakassia.
Wholesale gasoline volumes have also weakened sharply. Sales on the St Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange have fallen by an average of about 20% since the beginning of August compared with the second half of July, indicating that the disruption extends beyond isolated retail shortages.
The renewed squeeze follows another series of Ukrainian drone attacks against refining infrastructure in late July and August. Several plants have either halted operations or suffered damage requiring prolonged repairs, reducing the ability of oil companies to convert Russia's large crude reserves into petrol and other fuels needed domestically.
One of the most significant disruptions occurred at the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in the Orenburg region after a drone attack on August 11 caused a fire and damaged processing equipment. The facility, capable of processing about 5.76 million tonnes of crude annually, equivalent to roughly 115,000 barrels a day, subsequently halted processing.
The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex in Bashkortostan was also hit as attacks reached energy facilities far from Ukraine. The refinery is one of Russia's larger oil-processing sites and forms part of a network increasingly exposed to long-range drone operations designed to restrict Moscow's capacity to produce and distribute refined fuels.
Russia's fuel difficulties had already intensified from May as refinery outages coincided with higher seasonal consumption. By July, shortages and controls had spread widely enough for the federal government to introduce measures aimed at keeping additional fuel inside the country. These included restrictions on exports, adjustments to fuel-quality requirements and greater use of imports.
Moscow extended its gasoline export ban until the end of 2026 as it sought to protect domestic availability. Diesel exports have also faced restrictions during periods of acute pressure, highlighting the government's willingness to sacrifice overseas sales when filling stations inside Russia run short.
Imports are now becoming an increasingly important part of the response. Russia has brought gasoline in by rail from Belarus and Kazakhstan while turning to seaborne supplies from Asia. An Oman-flagged tanker carrying about 68,000 tonnes of gasoline originally loaded at Vadinar arrived at the Arctic port of Vitino in early August, with the cargo being transferred to rail for domestic distribution. At least two additional gasoline cargoes are expected at Russian ports during the second half of August.
The unusual import flows underline the consequences of losing refining capacity. Russia remains one of the world's largest oil producers and exporters, but crude availability alone cannot prevent petrol shortages when conversion plants are damaged, undergoing repairs or operating below normal levels.
Authorities initially appeared to have contained the crisis by late July. Restrictions were eased or removed in several regions after supplies were redirected and imports increased. That improvement proved fragile as another sequence of refinery strikes tightened the market again.
Regional responses have varied according to the severity of local shortages. Some authorities have restricted the quantity drivers can purchase, while others have tightened controls over retail pricing or prioritised deliveries to essential users. Orenburg introduced particularly strict controls after the disruption at Orsk, reflecting concern that local supplies could deteriorate while refinery operations remain suspended.
The shortages are also exposing weaknesses in Russia's internal fuel logistics. Refined products often need to be moved over vast distances by pipeline, rail and road, meaning production losses at individual refineries can create shortages hundreds or thousands of kilometres away. Redirecting fuel to one vulnerable territory can consequently reduce availability elsewhere.
The government has said oil companies are increasing deliveries to the areas under greatest pressure. The continuing fall in exchange sales, however, suggests the domestic market remains vulnerable to additional refinery shutdowns at a time when summer travel and agricultural activity are maintaining demand.