Russia to Import Seaborne Gasoline from Asia Amid Ukrainian Strikes, Domestic Shortages
Russia will import seaborne gasoline this month, a rare step driven by domestic shortages caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries. This has led to widespread fuel restrictions across Russian regions and increased crude oil exports. The US sanctions waiver for Russian oil at sea also expired on 17 June, adding to export challenges.
Russia is set to receive a seaborne gasoline cargo this month via one of its western ports, a rare move for a major oil exporter. This comes as Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries and fuel storage facilities have caused widening domestic shortages, four industry sources told Reuters on 17 June.
The gasoline will be shipped from Asia, though volumes and suppliers were not specified. Russia had previously considered seaborne fuel imports in 2025 but found domestic supply sufficient then. Media reports indicate fuel shortages in about a dozen Russian regions, with Crimea and two Siberian regions officially confirming them. The Bell reported on 16 June that 53 Russian regions and all five occupied regions of Ukraine have gasoline sale restrictions for private vehicles, with 18 Russian regions and all of occupied Ukraine limiting individual purchases to 50 liters.
To ease pressure before the summer driving season, Russia banned gasoline exports for producers through July. While Russia has imported fuel from Belarus and Kazakhstan, neither has sufficient spare capacity for a deeper crisis. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported on 17 June that Russian crude oil production in May 2026 fell to 8.7 million barrels per day, about 5 percent below May 2025 levels, due to Ukrainian strikes forcing Russia to prioritize domestic product supply and maximize crude exports.
Bloomberg reported on 16 June that Russian average crude oil shipments between 17 May and 14 June reached 3.83 million barrels per day, the highest in 2026. OPEC data showed Russian oil output in May 2026 averaged 9.01 million barrels per day. Russia also has over 120 million barrels of oil on vessels at sea for export, a 25 percent increase from April 2026, partly due to declining domestic refining capacity. The US sanctions waiver for Russian oil on vessels at sea expired on 17 June without renewal, likely intensifying export challenges.