Currently, Russia imports petrol and diesel from Belarus. In October 2025, the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) council abolished the 5% import duty for supplies until June 30, 2026. Earlier this month, Russia proposed extending the zero import duty until June 2027.
Additionally, authorities may permit the production of petroleum products that deviate from the current technical regulations. It has been previously reported that certain refineries have been allowed to produce petrol and diesel fuel that do not meet stipulated requirements. The plan also prioritises fuel supplies to the domestic market and aims for maximum utilisation of the production capacities of oil companies.
Moreover, authorities might temporarily reduce the sales norm for petrol on the exchange from 15% to 10% of production volume. Volumes that do not enter the exchange are expected to be directed towards socially significant consumers, as stated by Vedomosti, citing a source.
Igor Yushkov, an expert from the Financial University under the Government, noted that the payment under the damping mechanism for imported petrol is associated with maintaining prices in the domestic market. According to analyst Sergey Kaufman from FG "Finam," otherwise, petrol at independent filling stations would cost tens of roubles more. Sergey Tereshkin, General Director of Open Oil Market, believes that regulators should consider a model of centralised fuel procurement from far-abroad using funds from the reserve fund.
It is worth recalling that, in early June, the Ministry of Energy of Russia attributed the difficulties with fuel supplies in certain southern regions to the consequences of aerial attacks on facilities in the fuel and energy complex. The ministry described the situation as temporary and announced the establishment of an industry headquarters to stabilise it. Subsequently, the government allowed some refineries to produce petrol to "Euro-3" standards.
Several regions in Russia have introduced restrictions on the sale of fuel. Sale limits are already in place in the Omsk and Saratov regions, as reported by regional authorities. In the Voronezh region, currently, only one major filling station network has imposed restrictions. In Irkutsk and Vladimir regions, filling stations have shifted to a priority servicing scheme.
Source: M.Bizness
