Russia's government has extended its import damping mechanism to diesel fuel, state subsidies for foreign purchases similar to those already in place for gasoline, the Energy Ministry told RBC.
Amendments to the Tax Code will compensate importers during months when exports of diesel, kerosene or middle distillates are banned. Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev called the damping a "supplementary mechanism for ensuring stable supply," saying it would make imports profitable and cover domestic demand.
An import damping mechanism for gasoline was introduced earlier. A full ban on gasoline exports has been in effect since April, and a ban on diesel exports since July 8. On July 10, a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak discussed further steps to saturate the fuel market and contain prices, RBC reported, citing sources.
Gas stations in dozens of regions have imposed limits on gasoline and diesel sales. Diesel is capped at 100 or 200 liters per person, even though a single combine harvester burns 300 liters per shift during field work. Diesel prices rose 18.1% year-on-year by late June, the highest increase in 15 years, according to state statistics service Rosstat. In the Southern Federal District, the average price reached 110 rubles per liter.
Belarus has become Russia's main supplier of oil products. Diesel imports from Belarus rose fivefold in January–June 2026 to 256,000 tons, and gasoline imports surged 20-fold to 453,000 tons, Reuters reported. India may also supply diesel: oil companies could approach Indian refineries if the situation worsens, according to Reuters. So far India has sent only two gasoline shipments to Russia, totaling about 100,000 tons.
The fuel shortage followed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, which cut diesel output by nearly 40% and gasoline output by a quarter. The Financial Times called Russia's diesel export ban a tacit admission that Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries were effective. Analysts at Energy Intelligence estimate the monthly shortfall of oil products at 400,000–600,000 tons.
President Vladimir Putin said this week that Russia's energy sector has a "very powerful, reliable base" and that difficulties are temporary. "I think the situation will gradually improve," he said.