Domestic supplies come under pressure
Russia is considering suspending diesel exports as fuel shortages, higher prices and long queues spread across several regions. The government is also evaluating tax changes and possible imports to stabilize the domestic market.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak outlined the measures on Tuesday during a televised government meeting led by President Vladimir Putin. Russia is the world’s third-largest crude oil producer and normally exports substantial volumes of refined products.
Refinery attacks disrupt production
Repeated Ukrainian strikes against Russian refineries have reduced processing capacity and forced Moscow to restrict exports of gasoline and aviation fuel. A diesel ban would represent a further attempt to redirect available supplies toward domestic consumers.
Russian gasoline production last week was approximately 25% below the daily average recorded in June 2025. Seaborne exports of petroleum products also declined by about 15% during the first half of June compared with the first half of May, following unplanned refinery maintenance caused by drone attacks.
Government considers imports and subsidies
Officials have discussed importing fuel and subsidizing those purchases to prevent further increases at filling stations. Rising fuel costs are politically sensitive and could intensify inflation throughout the economy.
Novak said oil companies had postponed scheduled refinery maintenance, released additional reserves and increased deliveries to the internal market.
“We are using reserves that were not previously tapped, and are also encouraging increased supplies of additional volumes to the domestic market. Relevant amendments to tax legislation have been prepared in coordination with the government,” he said.
Diesel exports remained resilient in spring
Before the latest supply difficulties intensified, Russian seaborne exports of diesel and gasoil increased by 8% between March and April, reaching approximately 3.25 million metric tons.
That volume was only slightly below the 3.3 million tons exported in April of the previous year. Shipments remained broadly stable during May, with Brazil and Turkey continuing to rank among the principal buyers of Russian diesel.
Crimea imposes restrictions on public life
The fuel crisis has produced particularly severe measures in Sevastopol, located in Russian-controlled Crimea and home to the country’s Black Sea Fleet.
Russian-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhayev announced temporary limits on public transportation, commercial activity and street lighting. Public transport must stop operating at 10 p.m., while large stores and cafes are required to close at 8 p.m.
Authorities have also prohibited large outdoor gatherings, reduced street illumination and maintained previously announced restrictions on fuel purchases.
“On the street lights, I think that’s the right thing to do, the protection of the city comes first,” said Anzhelika, a resident of Crimea’s largest city.
Putin demands additional measures
Putin addressed the recent Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure for the first time, including the strike on Moscow’s oil refinery. He characterized the operations as an attempt to destabilize Russian society.
The president instructed the government to introduce further measures to limit their economic and social consequences. Russia is expected to receive fuel shipments by sea during June as it works to ease the gasoline shortage and restore refinery output.
