Russia's Interfax news agency announced today, citing a government press service, that Moscow has decided to extend the temporary ban on gasoline exports until February 28, 2026. This decision includes all exporters, including producers, in a move aimed at protecting the domestic market against price fluctuations and ensuring supply availability.
In a related context, the government decision included extending the ban on exports of diesel and marine fuel until the same date (February 28). However, this part of the decision included an important exception, as the ban will not apply to the direct producers of petroleum products, but rather targets traders and intermediaries to prevent re-export.
Priority of local needs
This decision complements policies initiated by Russia earlier, when it announced its intention to extend the ban on gasoline exports, which was supposed to end at the end of this year. The ban, which has been strictly enforced since last March, aims to ensure the country has sufficient fuel reserves to meet growing domestic needs, both for civilian consumption and for the industrial and agricultural sectors.
By banning diesel exports to traders and retailers, the Russian government seeks to eliminate the so-called "gray market," where non-producers buy fuel at subsidized domestic prices and sell it on global markets at higher prices, leading to a shortage of domestic supply.
Impact of Ukrainian attacks and infrastructure
This decision cannot be separated from the current military and geopolitical context; repeated Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have complicated the energy landscape. These attacks, particularly those during the summer, have reduced production and processing capacity at several key facilities deep within Russia.
These strikes have resulted in fluctuations in supply chains, leading to higher fuel prices and shortages in some Russian regions, which has prompted the Kremlin to take strict protectionist measures to prevent inflation from worsening and to ensure the continued operation of the domestic economy without hindrance.
Economic and strategic dimensions
Economically, the energy sector is the lifeblood of the Russian economy, and controlling domestic fuel prices is a top priority for maintaining socio-economic stability under ongoing Western sanctions. Analysts suggest that extending the embargo reflects Moscow's desire to avoid any fuel shortages that could disrupt the agricultural harvest or increase transportation and logistics costs.
On the international level, although Russia exports smaller quantities of gasoline compared to crude oil and diesel, the withdrawal of any quantities from the global market under the current tensions contributes to uncertainty in global energy markets, keeping prices sensitive to any new geopolitical variables.
