The problem of fuel shortage in Russia will not be resolved earlier than the end of October 2025. The statement was made by the Minister of Energy, Sergey Tsyvilev, during a meeting with the so-called “governor” of Sevastopol, appointed by Moscow, Mikhail Razvozhaev, according to the press service of the “administration” in Sevastopol.
“The situation could remain unstable for a month, but we hope to completely eliminate interruptions in fuel supply by the end of October”, Tsyvilev said. He specified that he personally took control of the problem of gasoline supply in Crimea and other Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia, mentions The Moscow Times.
According to a Kommersant source, familiar with the balance between demand and deliveries, the Russian market currently lacks about 20% of the monthly gasoline consumption volume – that is about 400 thousand tons out of 2 million. The situation was described as “critical”. In September, gasoline production dropped by 1 million tons after a series of drone attacks on refineries, following which at least six plants completely or partially suspended their activity.
According to Reuters calculations, in August the oil industry lost about 17% of its refining capacity. At the end of September, a record level of 38% of Russia’s refining capacities were blocked – equivalent to about 338 thousand tons per day, and 70% of the stops were due to drone attacks. Since the beginning of the year, stock market gasoline prices have increased by 40-50%, reaching historical highs.
The most acute, according to the quoted source, the problem is felt in regions that were already deficient – annexed Crimea and the Far East. In Crimea, from September 29, restrictions were introduced on the retail sale of gasoline – no more than 30 liters per person. Similar measures were applied in other regions of Russia – limits of 10-20 liters.
To stabilize the situation, the government banned the export of gasoline and diesel until the end of 2025. Since July, Russia has significantly increased its gasoline purchases from Belarus – 36% more than last year, and in September imports increased by 168% compared to August. However, these volumes – 97 thousand tons in three months – cover less than 2% of domestic demand. Russian authorities have also prepared a package of measures to organize the import of gasoline from China and other Asian countries.