21:52 - 19.08.2026

---

August 19, Fineko/abc.az. Fuel shortages have intensified across Russia, with the proportion of operational gas stations stocking gasoline or diesel dropping from 41% to 28,1% nationwide. Long queues and empty pumps have been reported in southern provinces, the Volga region, and Moscow.

Several regions, including Orenburg, Lipetsk, and Sevastopol, have reinstated strict rationing measures, limiting purchases to 20–30 liters per vehicle and restricting sales based on license plate numbers or QR codes. Key drivers of the deficit include refinery outages, drone strikes, surging summer demand, and logistical bottlenecks.

To protect domestic supply, the Russian government has extended its gasoline export ban through January 31, 2027. Furthermore, Russia has commenced fuel imports from Belarus, Kazakhstan, India, and Morocco, while temporarily authorizing the production and sale of lower environmental grade fuels, including Euro-2, Euro-3, and Euro-4.