The Russian fuel market is facing unprecedented pressure. Amid a record rise in gasoline prices over the last two decades and regular drone attacks by Ukraine on oil refineries, the government has been forced to take drastic measures. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced the launch of two key mechanisms designed to stabilize the situation and ensure the economy has access to fuel.
Double Blow to Exchange Speculation
To support the domestic market, Moscow has launched two mechanisms with special tax incentives. The first step is active fuel imports intended to replenish shortages on the shelves. The second, more technical step, concerns exchange trading. The government has decided to reduce the mandatory sales quota for gasoline on the exchange from 15% to 10% of total production volume.
This initiative was proposed by the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. The essence of the measure is simple: producers will be able to retain more fuel for their own needs and direct sales without listing it on the exchange, where prices often skyrocket under the pressure of speculators.
Manual Price Control
In addition to changing trading volumes, the authorities have resorted to unprecedented intervention in market mechanisms. The price fluctuation step on the exchange has been limited: it can no longer exceed one-hundredth of the cost of each transaction. In fact, this is a "manual" restraint on sharp spikes in fuel costs.
"We discussed this decision at the headquarters. This is one of the measures aimed at stabilizing the situation specifically on the exchange market," Novak explained. According to him, the decision to reduce the quota has already been made and is in effect.
Summer Shortage and Dependence on Neighbors
All these changes are set to be in effect from July 1 to September 30, 2026. This period was not chosen by chance: summer is traditionally the season of peak fuel demand due to dacha owners and tourists. However, this year, demand is compounding a critical shortage of supply due to the destruction of production capacity.
The situation has escalated to the point where dozens of Russian regions have been forced to introduce restrictions on gasoline sales. Even the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug—the country's main oil-producing region, where about 40% of Russian oil is extracted—has fallen into the risk zone. Paradoxically, a fuel shortage is felt even here.
In an attempt to close the domestic gap, Moscow has already turned to Kazakhstan with a request for supplies. Russia has requested 50,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline to mitigate the consequences of the crisis and prevent social unrest in the regions.