Russia, once one of the planet’s largest diesel exporters, enacted a full ban on diesel fuel exports on July 8, 2026. The country now plans to begin importing fuel this month to address domestic shortages that have been building for over a year.
How a petro-state runs out of fuel
The root cause is physical destruction. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries have steadily degraded the country’s refining capacity since 2025, creating a gap between crude oil production and the ability to turn that crude into usable diesel and gasoline.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the export ban, stating it would bolster domestic fuel availability. President Vladimir Putin echoed the urgency, emphasizing the need to prioritize the national market as the energy sector faces escalating pressures.
The full ban follows a series of partial export restrictions on gasoline and diesel throughout 2025 and early 2026. Russia has already begun sourcing gasoline from India to fill gaps in its domestic supply.
