Russia’s diesel and gasoil exports cratered to roughly 80,000 barrels per day in early August, according to data from Vortexa Ltd. compiled by Bloomberg. That figure represents the lowest level in several years and a staggering collapse from the more than 1 million bpd Russia was shipping at the end of 2025.
A refinery network under siege
The primary culprit is persistent Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian refining infrastructure. These attacks have reportedly halved Russia’s refining capacity, creating a cascading problem: less refined product means less fuel for domestic consumption, which in turn forces Moscow to keep whatever it can produce at home.
The Russian government’s response has been predictable but aggressive. Throughout 2026, authorities have imposed or extended temporary export restrictions on diesel, gasoline, and related petroleum products.
The decline didn’t happen overnight. In June, diesel and gasoil loadings sat at approximately 400,000 bpd. By early July, that number had fallen to around 234,000 bpd. The August figure of 80,000 bpd suggests the bleeding hasn’t stopped, it’s accelerated.
