The Russian government has reintroduced a six-month ban on petrol exports, effective from September 1 to December 31, 2024, to stabilize domestic fuel prices amid rising costs.
The ban aims to address seasonal demand and ongoing oil refinery repairs.
This measure follows a previous ban implemented in March, which was briefly lifted between May and July when the domestic market was deemed saturated. The new export restriction will not impact deliveries under intergovernmental agreements with Eurasian Economic Union member countries, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia.
Last year, Russia also imposed similar bans on diesel and petrol due to high pump prices affecting domestic purchasing power, exacerbated by a weakening ruble from sanctions.
Despite vast energy reserves, Russia’s revenue from oil and gas remains crucial for supporting its military operations in Ukraine, where recent drone attacks have targeted fuel depots, disrupting supplies.
In 2023, Russia produced 43.9 million tonnes of petrol.
