Russia Imposes Total Ban on Diesel Exports Amid Ukrainian Attacks

Russia has imposed a full ban on diesel fuel exports to boost supply to the domestic market, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday. Speaking during a cabinet meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Novak stated that Moscow would begin importing petroleum products in July to stabilise the country’s fuel market. “We will also start importing petroleum products in July and increase production volumes by using petroleum products with a lower environmental class,” Novak said. He added that the fuel market in Russia has stabilised somewhat, although it still faces challenges. “As a result of the ongoing terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure, including fuel and energy facilities, a number of oil refineries have been damaged. Consequently, petrol and diesel production has been temporarily and partially reduced,” Novak explained. According to the Russian Government’s press service, the temporary ban on exports of diesel fuel, marine fuel, and oil and gas, effective until 31 July, will apply to producers of petroleum products. Following recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, several facilities halted operations for maintenance, prompting Russia to periodically impose restrictions to stabilise the domestic fuel market. In early June, Russia imposed a temporary ban on aviation fuel exports until 30 November to help maintain stability in the domestic fuel market. Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure have contributed to fuel shortages, but he stressed the situation remains under control. “At the moment, we are indeed experiencing shortages, but the situation is not yet critical,” Putin said. He added that damaged energy facilities are being repaired quickly. Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia plans to import gas to stabilise the domestic market, a rare step for a country that only imported large quantities of energy resources in the 1990s after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.