Ukraine's attacks push Russia to extend diesel export ban
The current ban was first introduced in July (photo: Getty Images)
Russian government has decided to extend a ban on diesel fuel exports by producers to ensure supplies to the domestic market. The decision comes amid increasingly frequent Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries, Bloomberg reports.
A statement by the Russian Cabinet says the ban has been extended until September 30.
"The decision has been taken to support stability of the domestic fuel market," the government noted on its website.
The ban on fuel exports by producers was introduced in early July as a short-term measure but was later extended through August as Ukrainian attacks continued. The measure did not apply to supplies under intergovernmental agreements or humanitarian aid.
This month, in August, Ukraine carried out at least 21 attacks on Russian oil refineries, a record number of strikes since the war launched by Russia in February 2022 began. The attacks have also triggered a new wave of gasoline shortages in Russian regions.
Bloomberg writes that today's extension of the ban will put additional pressure on already tight global fuel supplies, which have been strained by the conflict in the Middle East and Russia's war against Ukraine.
Before Kyiv's unprecedented series of attacks on Russia's fuel industry, Russia had been a major diesel exporter in recent months. It accounted for about 10% of global supplies.
Notably, amid a global shortage, US diesel inventories have fallen to their lowest seasonal level on record, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.
In Europe, the situation has become so tight that the region is turning to Mexico for fuel for the first time in seven years.
Other details available
On August 28, Reuters reported that gasoline production at the end of the month fell to about 70% of domestic consumption levels. This followed a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries.
It was also reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit Nizhny Novgorod. Amid this, gasoline was available at most gas stations in Nizhny Novgorod, with long lines forming as drivers sought to fill their tanks.
