Russia is facing a severe gasoline and diesel fuel shortage, leading the government to consider importing petroleum products and offering subsidies to stabilize rising prices. This crisis stems from a 25% drop in gasoline production last week compared to June 2025's daily average, a direct consequence of Ukrainian drone attacks on key oil refineries. Daily output fell to around 90,000 tonnes, significantly below the summer demand of at least 110,000 tonnes per day.
These attacks have resulted in restrictions on fuel sales, increased prices, and long queues at gas stations across various Russian regions. Average retail gasoline prices rose 1% to 69.11 rubles ($0.95) per liter between June 9-15, marking the largest weekly jump since early January. Seaborne exports of Russian petroleum products also declined by about 15% in the first half of June compared to the first half of May, due to unscheduled refinery maintenance.
The situation has led to urgent discussions within the Russian government, with reports indicating a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to address the fuel supply issue. Proposed solutions include not only fuel imports but also potentially lowering fuel quality requirements to Euro-3 standards and resuming the use of octane-boosting additives like monomethylaniline. Some sources suggest refineries with spare capacity can only cover about 5,000 tonnes of the daily shortfall, while supplies from Belarus are estimated at 100,000 to 150,000 tonnes a month.
The impact is felt acutely in regions like Crimea, where Sevastopol's Russian-installed governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, announced temporary measures including curtailed public transport hours, earlier closures for shops and cafes, and dimmed street lighting. Regional authorities across Russia are attempting to allay public concerns about the fuel crunch, as social media users express alarm over fuel availability following intensified Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure.
The Moscow Oil Refinery, responsible for supplying up to 40% of Moscow’s gasoline and about half of its diesel, and covering up to 70% of the Moscow Region’s demand for gasoline and aviation kerosene, was reportedly hit by drones on June 18, impacting several key production units and contributing to the deepening crisis.
