Fuel crisis in Russia: gasoline at 76 rubles, export embargo, and a rollback to Euro-2

Key Points

From January to the end of August 2026, the price of gasoline in Russia rose by 18.3% to 76.38 rubles per liter

The ban on gasoline exports has been extended — under the main version until January 31, 2027

The circulation of Euro-2, 3, and 4 fuel has been permitted until July 1, 2027

Imports of gasoline from the Mozyr Refinery have begun, with supplies from Kazakhstan and Morocco being worked out

From the start of 2026 to the end of August, the average price of a liter of gasoline in Russia rose by 18.3% and exceeded 76.38 rubles, according to Rosstat data and publications by Forbes and Polites News. The cause of the systemic shortage was a series of strikes on oil refineries that began back in 2025.

Government measures

To prevent gas stations from running dry ahead of the autumn harvest campaign, the authorities extended the full ban on the export of commercial gasoline: under the main version — from July 31, 2026 to January 31, 2027. At the same time, the production and circulation of fuel of outdated environmental classes Euro-2, 3, and 4 have been permitted until July 1, 2027, and imports of gasoline from the Mozyr Refinery in Belarus have begun, with supplies from Kazakhstan and Morocco being worked out.

Contradictory data

The versions of the parties differ on the embargo deadlines. In materials from the publication Pravda.ru, the ban on fuel exports is described as extended "until the end of the year" (i.e., until the end of 2026), whereas the main summary and government decisions cite a later date — January 31, 2027. The difference of several months may be explained by an updated edition of the decree or an inaccuracy in the source's headline; both dates are provided for completeness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much has gasoline risen in price in Russia in 2026?

According to Rosstat data, from January to the end of August 2026, gasoline across the country rose by an average of 18.3%, exceeding 76 rubles per liter.

Until what date does the ban on gasoline exports from Russia remain in effect?

Under the main version, the ban has been extended until January 31, 2027; in some sources (Pravda.ru) the deadline is stated as "until the end of the year," which is reflected as contradictory data.

What does the temporary permission of the Euro-2 standard mean?

This allows refineries to produce fuel with a higher sulfur and impurity content without deep purification to cover the physical shortage until July 1, 2027.