Russia has imposed a complete ban on diesel exports as it moves to shield its domestic fuel supply from an intensifying Ukrainian drone offensive against its refining and energy export infrastructure.
Russia has imposed a complete ban on diesel exports as it moves to shield its domestic fuel supply from an intensifying Ukrainian drone offensive against its refining and energy export infrastructure. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the measure, which removes an existing exemption that had permitted oil producers to continue selling diesel overseas. The restriction is set to run until the end of July.
The export halt follows a series of damaging strikes on Russian energy assets. Ukraine reportedly disabled Gazprom Neft's Omsk refinery, described as the country's largest fuel-processing site, when several strikes hit its main ELOU-AVT-11 crude distillation unit, which handles as much as 40 per cent of the plant's throughput. Ukrainian forces also targeted oil facilities close to the Port of St Petersburg, widening the campaign to include a major Baltic export hub after months of attacks concentrated on refineries.
The reach of the offensive has expanded considerably. Upgraded Fire Point FP-1 drones are said to have flown more than 2,500 kilometres to reach Omsk, with a redesigned fuel-carrying wing extending their range to as much as 3,400 kilometres. According to the report, Ukrainian drones have now struck more than 16 significant Russian refineries and terminals, removing over 30 per cent of national refining capacity from operation.
The disruption has left Russia facing a gasoline production shortfall of around 20 per cent. To bridge the gap, Moscow reportedly intends to import up to 400,000 tonnes of fuel monthly from neighbouring countries and has already begun sourcing supply from India, with at least 60,000 tonnes of petrol dispatched, mainly from Nayara Energy's Gujarat refinery.
For Malaysian and Southeast Asian maritime and oil and gas readers, the developments carry several implications. A Russian diesel export ban tightens middle-distillate availability in global markets, potentially supporting product prices and freight demand on routes serving Asia. The emergence of India as a fuel supplier to Russia signals shifting refined-product trade flows that could influence tanker chartering patterns and bunker economics across the region. Persistent attacks on energy infrastructure also underline the elevated risk premium shaping vessel operations, insurance and voyage planning, reinforcing the need for regional operators to monitor supply security and cargo movements closely.
This brief was written by the MarineCraft News Desk from the source’s reporting. Read the original coverage at the source.
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