Russia will begin importing fuel by sea due to a gasoline shortage caused by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. The first shipment from Asia is expected as early as June, according to reports. Russia is also receiving fuel from Belarus and Kazakhstan, but those quantities are insufficient.
Russia is set to begin importing fuel by sea in June to address a deepening gasoline shortage, according to reports. The shortage stems from Ukrainian drone and missile strikes on Russian oil refineries, which have disrupted domestic production and led to supply restrictions across several regions, including Moscow and St. Petersburg.
As The Zioneer has previously reported at length, the fuel crisis has been building for weeks. On June 8, Russia acknowledged that Ukrainian airstrikes on energy facilities were causing temporary supply difficulties in the south. By June 15, restrictions on fuel sales were imposed in several regions, and Russia permitted refineries to lower fuel quality standards to avoid shortages amid a doubling of Ukrainian drone strikes in 2026 compared to 2025. The International Energy Agency reported on Wednesday that Russian crude output fell 10% in May due to the strikes.
The first fuel shipment from Asia is expected as early as June. Russia is also receiving fuel from Belarus and Kazakhstan, but those volumes have proven insufficient to cover the shortfall. The shift to seaborne imports marks a significant logistical step for a major oil producer now struggling to meet domestic demand.
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