Russia Considers Fuel Imports, Subsidies After Refinery Strikes Hit Supply
Impact of Ukrainian Strikes on Russia's Fuel Supply
MOSCOW, June 23 (Reuters) - Russia is considering fuel imports and corresponding subsidies to cap prices as ways to mitigate supply disruptions of gasoline and diesel caused by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, Vedomosti daily reported on Tuesday, citing two unnamed sources.
Regional Effects and Market Response
Numerous regions across Russia, the world's third-largest crude oil producer, have reported restrictions on fuel sales, rising prices of oil products and long queues at filling stations due to supply shortages.
Export Restrictions and Domestic Supply
Apart from supplying crude oil overseas, Russia normally exports various oil products. However, Ukrainian attacks on its refineries have forced it to ban exports of gasoline and jet fuel.
Government Discussions and Policy Options
The newspaper said imports were raised as an option at a meeting on fuel supplies chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Monday.
Subsidies and Price Cap Considerations
Two industry sources told Reuters that subsidies on imported fuel were also considered at the meeting, with the aim of capping fuel prices, a sensitive issue for the public and an unwanted trigger for wider inflation.
Novak's office did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.
Production and Export Data
Russia lost about 25% of its gasoline output last week, compared with the daily average in June 2025, with a drop to some 90,000 metric tons (765,000 barrels) per day, industry sources said.
According to LSEG data and market sources, Russia's seaborne oil products exports fell 15% to about 3.3 million tons in the first half of June, compared to the first half of May, due to unplanned refinery maintenance after repeated drone attacks.
Fuel Imports as a Solution
Last week, four industry sources said Russia was set to import fuel by sea in June as it seeks to manage the gasoline shortage.
(Reporting by Reuters, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
