Kremlin bans petrol exports until 2026 amid Ukraine’s strikes on Russia's oil sector

The Kremlin has extended the existing ban on petrol exports until the end of this year and will also impose a similar ban on diesel exports for non-producers.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that "this will additionally supply the market with petroleum products." Gasoline exports will be banned for all participants, except for deliveries under intergovernmental agreements.

Recently, the fuel shortage on the market has worsened, with a growing number of regions imposing restrictions on gasoline sales, and its price reaching historic highs. Supply disruptions have already affected central areas, including Moscow and Leningrad regions.

Pavel Bazhenov, President of the Independent Fuel Union (NTS) said that the situation primarily affects central Russia, the south of the country, the Volga region, and the Far East.

According to the official version, the problems are caused by seasonal demand and refinery maintenance.

However, amid almost daily strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, it appears that oil refining facilities require more frequent repairs, and production is forced to decrease, which has already been felt by ordinary consumers waiting in long queues at petrol stations.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian drones again attacked the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery in Bashkortostan, located 1,500 km from the front line.

On Friday, Ukrainian drones struck the Afipsky refinery in the Krasnodar region in southern Russia for the second time in a month.

Ukraine vows to continue its strategy

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified strikes on the Russian oil industry, leading to the suspension of operations and even becoming a factor in the gasoline shortage across the country.

Ukrainian attacks have disabled facilities accounting for at least 17% of Russian refining capacity, or 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd), according to reports.

Russian economist Vladislav Inozemtsev told Euronews that Kyiv's strategy of striking the Russian oil industry is "the most effective thing Ukraine can do" to damage the Russian war machine.

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Thursday that Kyiv’s strikes on Russia's oil sector have severely disrupted fuel supplies and logistics for Moscow's armed forces.

"This is a fuel crisis in Russia, which directly affects logistics and the supply of its army," Syrskyi said.

He also stated that in less than two months, Ukrainian forces have struck 85 high-value targets on Russian soil.

These include 33 military sites, such as bases, warehouses and airfields, as well as 52 military-industrial facilities that produce weapons, ammunition, fuel and drones.

The FT reported earlier this week that 16 of Russia's 38 oil refineries have been struck by Ukrainian drones since August 2025.

"The effectiveness of DeepStrike has been confirmed not only by us, but also appreciated by our partners," Syrskyi said.

"That's why we continue to build and scale the units that carry out DeepStrike," he concluded.