Diesel hits record as US links fuel surge to strikes on Russian refineries

Diesel fuel prices in the US reached a record $5.89 per gallon this week. Wright said that one of the factors behind the situation was serious damage to Russian oil refineries.

"The diesel situation has been challenging because Russian refineries have suffered significant damage. Russia used to be a meaningful exporter of diesel. Today, they don't export any diesel, and in fact, they've become a meaningful importer of gasoline. So its global refining capacity is why gasoline and diesel prices are high, even more than oil prices," Chris Wright said.

Russia changed its role in the market

According to the US secretary, Russia previously held a significant position among diesel fuel exporters, but has now stopped supplying it abroad. Moreover, the country has become a major importer of gasoline.

Wright noted that the main problem for gasoline and diesel prices is specifically related to global oil refining capacity. In his assessment, this factor has an even greater impact on fuel prices than oil prices.

The statement came in response to a question from the CBS anchor about the record cost of diesel fuel and the possibility of imposing restrictions on its export from the US.

Wright said the administration is considering various options that could help lower prices for American consumers, but for now is primarily betting on increasing fuel production.

According to Fire Point, key primary refining facilities at the Ryazan oil refinery were hit as a result of the attack. FP-1 drones struck the rectification columns of the ELOU-AVT-6 unit, with a capacity of 8.5 million tons of oil per year, the largest at the facility. Damage to the equipment of the AVT-3 unit, with a capacity of 3.1 million tons per year, was also recorded. Together, these facilities account for more than 77% of the Ryazan oil refinery's primary refining capacity.