Russia Turns to Sea Imports of Gasoline as Fuel Shortages Deepen After Ukrainian Drone Strikes

Russia plans to import gasoline by sea in an attempt to address fuel shortages that emerged after large-scale drone strikes on oil refining infrastructure and fuel storage facilities.

This was reported by Reuters, citing its own sources.

According to the agency, in June Russia, one of the world’s largest exporters of oil and petroleum products, is set to receive a shipment of gasoline via one of its western seaports. For a country that traditionally exports significant volumes of fuel, the move is seen as a negative signal.

It is noted that gasoline will be delivered from Asia, but details on shipment volumes and suppliers have not been disclosed. One source told Reuters that Russia considered importing fuel by sea last year, but domestic reserves were sufficient at the time to cover market demand.

This year, the situation has changed due to regular strikes by Ukrainian drones on oil refineries, pipelines, fuel storage facilities, and fuel transport infrastructure. The attacks aim to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance the war and maintain stable fuel supplies.

According to Reuters, reports of fuel shortages are coming from about ten Russian regions. The shortage has already been officially confirmed in occupied Crimea and two regions of Siberia.

In response, the Russian government has banned gasoline exports by fuel producers until the end of July. The measure is intended to redirect maximum production volumes to the domestic market during the seasonal peak in motor fuel demand.

To compensate for the shortage, Moscow is also increasing imports from Belarus and has previously sought additional supplies from Kazakhstan.

At the same time, agency sources note that none of these countries has sufficient spare capacity to significantly support Russia if the situation further deteriorates.

According to one Reuters source, importing gasoline by sea may remain a temporary solution.

Due to complex logistics and high costs, such supplies are unlikely to quickly offset the growing fuel deficit on the Russian market.