The government order covers gasoline, diesel, marine fuel, and gas oils, effectively locking out most exporters until the start of 2027. While producers may resume limited diesel and marine fuel shipments starting September 1, gasoline exports remain strictly prohibited. Exemptions persist only for humanitarian aid and specific intergovernmental agreements, alongside temporary carve-outs to ensure farmers have enough fuel for the harvest season.

This policy shift underscores the lingering fragility of Russia’s refining sector following repeated drone strikes that forced refineries offline earlier this year. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak recently claimed that conditions at filling stations had improved, yet he admitted that regions like Siberia remain undersupplied. The decision to extend the ban signals that Moscow anticipates continued volatility rather than a quick return to market equilibrium.

Global buyers are now bracing for the impact of this long-term policy. Goldman Sachs reports that global diesel exports dropped 35% in July, a decline exacerbated by Russia’s withdrawal from the international market. As one of the world’s largest exporters, Russia’s decision to keep its refined products at home removes millions of barrels per day from a global market already struggling with tightening supplies from the Middle East.