Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has instructed relevant agencies to work on a number of issues to stabilize the domestic fuel market. In particular, they are to hold consultations with Belarus to increase gasoline supplies to Russia. This was reported to RBC by two sources familiar with the content of the instructions.
Additionally, authorities are discussing the possibility of increasing payments under the import damping mechanism, including for Belarusian fuel. According to one of RBC's interlocutors, it is possible that corresponding amendments to the Tax Code will be made retroactively — from June 1, 2026.
The mechanism for receiving the damping payment when processing Russian oil abroad with subsequent import of the produced fuel into Russia was legislatively established in November 2025. The damping payment compensates oil companies for the difference between the profitability of fuel exports and its sale on the domestic market. The adopted law, in particular, made toll processing of Russian oil abroad economically comparable to processing within the country.
Furthermore, Novak instructed the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance to work on extending the zero rate of import customs duty on gasoline until June 30, 2027. Another measure to support the domestic market, according to sources, could be a change in the tax regime for certain types of fuel. In particular, authorities plan to zero out the excise tax on AI-95 gasoline produced by blending AI-92 gasoline and octane-boosting additives at oil depots.
Simultaneously, the government intends to strengthen control over oil product exports. Relevant agencies have been instructed to prepare draft resolutions on a complete ban on gasoline exports for a period of two months, including supplies under certain intergovernmental agreements. Thus, restrictions may also extend to countries that were previously exempt from the export embargo.
In addition, the possibility of imposing a complete ban on diesel fuel exports is being discussed, except for supplies under intergovernmental agreements. However, the proposed duration of such restrictions has not yet been determined.
On Current Export Bans
In Russia, a ban on gasoline exports has been in effect since April 1, lasting until July 31. The embargo applies both to refineries with an annual production capacity of over 1 million tons of oil products and to traders. The ban was introduced to prevent a shortage before the start of the high-demand season, which traditionally falls in spring and summer, as well as during the period of active agricultural work.
Furthermore, a temporary ban on diesel fuel exports remains in place, but only for non-producers — traders, oil depots, and plants with small production capacity. Also, on June 1, the government introduced a temporary embargo on the export of aviation kerosene, effective until November 30, 2026.
While restrictions on gasoline and diesel exports have been imposed repeatedly since September 2023 to stabilize the domestic market, supplies of aviation kerosene abroad have been banned for the first time. Traditionally, restrictions did not apply to export volumes under intergovernmental agreements.
Simultaneously, authorities are discussing a temporary ban on transit shipments of gasoline through Russian territory with the aim of redirecting additional fuel volumes to Russian consumers, sources say.
RBC has requested comments from Novak's office, as well as the press services of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance.
Why the Market Needs Additional Volumes
An RBC source in the fuel market links the preparation of additional measures to saturate the country with fuel to a reduction in national reserves and a decline in supply at exchange trading. The Ministry of Energy has withheld data on oil product processing volumes since 2023; the ministry explained the closure of statistics as necessary to ensure information security of the oil products market under the "existing geopolitical situation."
According to the interlocutor, the average volume of AI-92 gasoline sales on the St. Petersburg Exchange from May 25 to 29 amounted to 17,088 tons, which is 26% lower than the average since the beginning of the year of 23,000 tons per trading session. The figure for the AI-95 grade over the past seven-day period was 9,072 tons — 43% lower than the average since the start of the year. This could have occurred amid reduced processing capacity or temporary shutdowns at a number of refineries following drone attacks.
Exchange sales of diesel fuel, which is considered surplus in Russia and can account for up to 70% of total output on average, also declined. According to the RBC source, the average sales volume for the specified period was 48,707 tons, nearly 17% lower than the average since the beginning of the year (58,500 tons). He links the reduction in diesel exchange sales to oil companies' desire to profit from exports amid high global energy prices against the backdrop of the Hormuz crisis.
According to estimates from the Platts agency (available to RBC), any export restrictions on Russian diesel will lead to a tightening of the global market, given that Russia accounts for approximately 40% of global diesel exports. In May, Russian oil companies shipped 1.182 million tons of diesel or gasoil to the Mediterranean. This constitutes 37.3% of total imports into those countries.
How Imports from Belarus Are Structured
Supplies of Belarusian fuel to Russia are carried out mainly through the St. Petersburg Exchange. Belarusian refineries sell gasoline and diesel to the state trader "Promsyrieimport," which then sells these volumes on the exchange at domestic Russian prices. The difference between the purchase cost of the fuel and its sale price on the domestic market is compensated through damping payments from the budget.
RBC has sent a request to the press service of the St. Petersburg Exchange.
Sergey Tereshkin, General Director of Open Oil Market, noted that the damping payment for gasoline and diesel for Belarusian refineries is calculated according to the same rules as for Russian refineries, but only on the condition that these plants supply fuel through the St. Petersburg Exchange. "Even if all Belarusian gasoline enters the Russian market, it would provide less than 10% of Russia's needs," the expert says. Production of motor gasoline in Belarus is just over 3 million tons per year, while demand from Russian car owners is nearly 40 million tons. Tereshkin added that Belstat does not provide a breakdown by gasoline grade, and the latest data available is for 2020.
However, the exchange is not the only sales channel for Belarusian fuel in Russia. Significant volumes of petroleum products are also supplied under direct contracts with Russian oil companies.
Supplies of Belarusian fuel to Russia are discrete in nature. Earlier, the National Price Exchange Agency explained to RBC that the sales volumes of petroleum products from Belarusian refineries are volatile and depend on the supply and demand balance at the main production bases in Russia, weather conditions, and production volumes.
Source: RBC
