Russia's daily gasoline production has fallen to a level that covers only 65% of average seasonal demand, according to Reuters calculations based on agency data and two industry sources.
In the peak summer period, daily demand for gasoline in Russia ranges from 115,000 to 120,000 tonnes. The country is short 40,000–45,000 tonnes per day — about 35% of the required volume, Reuters reported. In June, the deficit was estimated at 25%.
The shortfall is the result of Ukrainian drone attacks on key oil refineries. Damage has halted operations at the largest plants, including the Nizhny Novgorod refinery (NORSI), the Omsk refinery, and the Saratov refinery.
Authorities have for the first time directly linked the fuel crisis to the strikes. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak acknowledged that the market “has problems and a deficit,” which has led to queues at gas stations. According to Novak, refineries are “partially going out for repairs due to strikes.” Earlier, Novak had attributed the fuel disruptions to logistics and described the attacks on plants as only one of the causes.
To compensate for the shortage, the Russian government has banned exports of gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation kerosene, and is increasing imports. In June, deliveries from Belarus reached a record 6,000 tonnes of gasoline per day, and Russia, according to Reuters sources, began maritime imports from India.
The situation could improve in the second half of July if plants are not hit by new attacks, as refineries are restored and imports grow, the agency's interlocutors believe. According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian drone strikes have caused Russian refineries to lose 20–40% of their capacity. The fuel crisis directly affects about 50 million people, or 35% of the country's population, the newspaper wrote.
The Insider calculated that fuel shortages are recorded in 88 of Russia's 89 controlled regions. The exception is Chukotka.