Russia mulling diesel export ban; refineries maxing out, speeding up and rescheduling maintenance - dep PM Novak
MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - The Russian government is taking the necessary measures to supply the domestic fuel market, where the situation is "not straightforward but manageable," Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and cabinet ministers.
"A total ban on diesel fuel exports" is under consideration in addition to the full bans on gasoline and jet fuel exports.
"All our refineries have maximized capacity utilization, and have sped up or rescheduled maintenance. The Energy Ministry is monitors these schedules closely and is constantly optimizing them," he said.
Novak said a set of measures to ensure additional fuel supply had been drafted which, especially now, during the peak summer season, "enables us to resolve intermittent objective logistical problems in certain regions and at certain filling stations."
"Following your instructions, we are paying special attention to Crimea, Sevastopol and the border regions. Here, we are working with [Deputy Prime Minister] Marat Shakirzyanovich [Khusnullin], his working group, the Transport Ministry and Defense Ministry. We are also paying special attention to the Far East, and to Kaliningrad, of course. We are holding task force meetings with oil companies and federal government agencies practically every day," he said.
As reported, the Russian oil refining industry has been undergoing unscheduled maintenance in the spring and summer of 2026. While acknowledging "certain deviations" in the fuel market, government agencies say the situation is generally stable and that all measures are being taken in conjunction with oil companies to ensure the country's fuel supply.
Over the past few weeks, isolated restrictions and limits on fuel sales at gas stations have been seen in various regions. Summer diesel fuel and gasoline prices are high on the SPIMEX. Rosstat says retail price growth for gasoline in Russia has been accelerating in recent weeks: prices had risen 6.61% YTD by June 15, exceeding the overall inflation of 3.68% for the same period.
At the end of April, the government approved a resolution on agreements to stabilize and develop the domestic petroleum products market. Relevant documents are to be concluded by the Energy Ministry and the Federal Anti-monopoly Service with oil companies.
To support the domestic petroleum products market, the Russian government introduced a complete ban on gasoline exports from the beginning of April until the end of July, extending it to producers. Only supplies under intergovernmental agreements are exempt from the restrictions. Russia has also banned exports of jet fuel for five months, from June 1 to November 30.
Russia is also thinking of restricting diesel exports, fuel market sources have said.
