Russia, traditionally one of the world's leaders in hydrocarbon production and export, is facing an unprecedented crisis in its domestic oil products market. An acute shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel has forced authorities to seek unconventional solutions, including importing fuel from abroad and introducing subsidies to curb prices.
Meeting with Novak: Discussing Imports
A key event that clarified the scale of the problem was a meeting on fuel supply chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. As the newspaper 'Vedomosti' reports, it was at this meeting that the question of the necessity of importing oil products was raised. For a country that has exported oil for decades, such a measure sounds like an admission of a serious systemic failure.
Industry sources interviewed by Reuters clarify that not only direct supplies are being discussed, but also a mechanism for subsidizing imported fuel. The goal of such measures is to prevent an explosive rise in prices at gas stations, which consumers in various regions are already feeling.
Production Decline and Attacks on Infrastructure
The root cause of the shortage has been attacks on oil refineries (ORs). Unscheduled maintenance required after drone strikes has led to a sharp reduction in processing volumes. According to industry experts, last week gasoline production in Russia fell by approximately 25% compared to the average daily figures for June 2025.
In absolute figures, production volumes have dropped to critical levels — around 90,000 tons per day. This decline has jeopardized the stability of supplies for both the population and logistics companies.
Export Restrictions and Market Consequences
In an attempt to stabilize the domestic situation, Russian authorities were previously forced to impose strict restrictions on the export of gasoline and aviation fuel. However, even these measures could not fully compensate for the decline in production.
Maritime exports of Russian oil products are also showing a significant decline. According to LSEG data and market sources, in the first half of June, exports fell by 15% compared to the same period in May, totaling approximately 3.3 million tons.
Reality at Gas Stations
For the average consumer, the statistics translate into queues at gas stations and restrictions on fuel sales. In several regions, supply disruptions are being recorded, and prices continue to rise. Reuters previously reported that Russia is already planning to import fuel by sea in June to at least partially compensate for the gasoline shortage in the domestic market.