Russia's fuel imports from Belarus hit record high after refinery attacks - Reuters

According to the agency, shipments of gasoline and diesel fuel from Belarus to Russia reached a new monthly record in July. The increase was driven by fuel shortages caused by unplanned shutdowns at Russian oil refineries following months of Ukrainian drone attacks.

At the beginning of July, gasoline production in Russia fell to about 65% of average seasonal consumption, while diesel output dropped to nearly the level of domestic demand.

Amid the shortages and rising prices, the Russian government banned diesel exports, allowing exceptions only for previously signed contracts and supplies made under intergovernmental agreements. Similar restrictions on gasoline and jet fuel exports had already been in place.

Reuters reported that rail shipments of gasoline from Belarus to Russia rose 13% in July from June, reaching 212,000 metric tons. Diesel deliveries doubled over the same period to 162,000 tons.

At the same time, imports of jet fuel from Belarus declined from 16,000 tons in June to about 13,100 tons in July.

Overall, during the first seven months of 2026, gasoline shipments from Belarus to Russia increased 25-fold compared with the same period last year, reaching nearly 665,000 tons. Diesel imports rose almost sevenfold to 418,000 tons.

In addition to Belarus, Russia has also begun importing gasoline from India, Kazakhstan, and Morocco.

As previously reported, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out a series of strikes on Russia's military and fuel-energy infrastructure during a 40-day operation from July 27 to August 2.

The targets included oil refineries in Perm, Volgograd, and Ufa, the Khanskaya military airfield, radar stations, ammunition and fuel depots, as well as infrastructure at the Port of Taman.

In addition, Ukrainian drones struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region on the night of August 4.