Russia Set to Extend Diesel Export Ban

Russia is set to extend its diesel export ban through September as domestic fuel shortages persist, with several refineries still idle following repeated Ukrainian drone attacks. An extension through the end of the year is also under discussion.

Moscow introduced the ban from 8 July to 31 July as part of broader measures to support the domestic fuel market and later extended it for fuel producers through the end of August.

Russia has also banned diesel exports by non-producers and gasoline exports through the end of January next year, while jet fuel exports are banned through the end of November. After a brief improvement in late July, fuel shortages returned to some regions in August.

Market sources said the diesel restrictions could be adjusted depending on how quickly refinery output recovers as damaged plants return to operation. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said last week that the government had yet to decide whether to lift the ban, maintaining that there was no diesel shortage on the domestic market.

Novak said several refineries had completed maintenance and resumed supplying additional fuel volumes.

(Reuters, max)