Russia Weighs Fuel Imports After Drone Strikes Shut Major Moscow Refinery

Overview

• Ukrainian long-range drone attacks have knocked out a large share of Russia’s refining capacity, with industry sources saying the Gazprom Neft Moscow refinery will likely be offline for at least six months.
• The damage has pushed gasoline production about 25% below last June’s daily average and cut maritime exports of oil products by roughly 15%, reducing available fuel for consumers and carriers.
• Moscow is discussing emergency measures that include importing gasoline and diesel, offering subsidies to limit retail prices, and considering an official ban on diesel exports, according to government officials and industry sources.
• Regional authorities have already tightened public-life rules in places such as Sevastopol and stores and transport have faced sales curbs and longer queues as supply pressure reached consumers.
• The sustained loss of domestic refining output could force Russia to shift from being a net exporter of refined products to a buyer on global markets, a change that would raise costs, complicate logistics, and risk higher inflation for households.