Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has instructed relevant agencies to work out a number of issues to stabilize the domestic fuel market. In particular, they are to hold consultations with Belarus to increase petrol supplies to Russia. Two sources familiar with the content of the instructions told RBC.
In addition, the authorities are discussing the possibility of increasing payments under the import dampener, including for Belarusian fuel. According to one of RBC's interlocutors, it is not excluded that corresponding amendments to the Tax Code will be made retroactively — from June 1, 2026.
The mechanism for obtaining the dampener when processing Russian oil abroad with subsequent import of the produced fuel into Russia was enshrined in law in November 2025. The dampener compensates oil companies for the difference between the profitability of fuel exports and its sale on the domestic market. The adopted law, in particular, made toll processing of Russian oil abroad economically comparable to processing within the country.
In addition, Novak instructed the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance to work out the extension of the zero rate of import customs duty on petrol until June 30, 2027. According to sources, another measure to support the domestic market could be a change in the tax regime for certain types of fuel. In particular, the authorities plan to zero out the excise tax on AI-95 petrol obtained by mixing AI-92 petrol and octane-boosting additives at oil depots.
At the same time, the government intends to strengthen control over the export of petroleum products. The relevant agencies have been instructed to prepare draft resolutions on a complete ban on petrol exports for a period of two months, including supplies under some intergovernmental agreements. Thus, restrictions may also extend to countries that were previously excluded from the export embargo.
In addition, the possibility of introducing a complete ban on the export of diesel fuel, except for supplies under intergovernmental agreements, is being discussed. However, the proposed duration of such restrictions has not yet been determined.
On Current Export Bans
In Russia, since April 1, a ban on petrol exports has been in effect until July 31. The embargo applies both to refineries with a production capacity of more than 1 million tons of petroleum products per year and to traders. The ban was introduced to prevent a deficit ahead of the high-demand season, which traditionally occurs in spring and summer, as well as during the period of active agricultural work.
In addition, a temporary ban on the export of diesel fuel also continues to apply, but only for non-producers — traders, oil depots, and plants with small production capacity. Also on June 1, the government introduced a temporary embargo on the export of aviation kerosene until November 30, 2026.
While restrictions on the export of petrol and diesel fuel have been introduced repeatedly since September 2023 to stabilize the domestic market, exports of aviation kerosene abroad have been banned for the first time. Traditionally, restrictions did not apply to export volumes under intergovernmental agreements.
At the same time, according to sources, the authorities are discussing a temporary ban on transit shipments of petrol through the territory of Russia in order to redirect additional fuel volumes to Russian consumers.
RBC has asked for comment from Novak's office, as well as the press services of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance.
Why the Market Needs Additional Volumes
An RBC source on the fuel market links the preparation of additional measures to saturate the country with fuel to the reduction of reserves in the country and a decline in supply at exchange trading. The Ministry of Energy hid data on the volume of oil product refining back in 2023; the ministry explained the closure of statistics by the need to ensure information security of the petroleum products market in the context of the 'existing geopolitical situation'.
According to the interlocutor, the average volume of AI-92 petrol sales on the St. Petersburg Exchange from May 25 to 29 was 17,088 tons, which is 26% lower than the average since the beginning of the year of 23,000 tons per trading session. The figure for AI-95 grade over the past seven days was 9,072 tons — 43% lower than the average since the beginning of the year. This could have occurred amid reduced utilization or temporary shutdowns of a number of refineries following drone attacks.
Exchange sales of diesel fuel also declined; its production in Russia is considered surplus and on average can account for up to 70% of total output. According to RBC's source, the average sales volume for the specified period was 48,707 tons, almost 17% lower than the average since the beginning of the year (58,500 tons). He links the reduction in exchange sales of diesel fuel to the desire of oil companies to profit from exports amid high global energy prices against the backdrop of the Hormuz crisis.
According to estimates by Platts (available to RBC), any export restrictions on Russian diesel fuel will lead to a tightening of the global market, given that Russia accounts for approximately 40% of global diesel fuel exports. In May, Russian oil companies shipped 1.182 million tons of diesel fuel or gasoil to the Mediterranean. This accounts for 37.3% of the total import volume into these countries.
How Imports from Belarus Work
Supplies of Belarusian fuel to Russia are carried out mainly through the St. Petersburg Exchange. Belarusian refineries sell petrol and diesel fuel to the state trader 'Promsyryeimport', which then sells these volumes on the exchange at domestic Russian prices. The difference between the purchase cost of the fuel and its sale price on the domestic market is compensated through dampener payments from the budget.
RBC sent a request to the press service of the St. Petersburg Exchange.
Sergei Tereshkin, General Director of Open Oil Market, noted that the dampener for petrol and diesel for Belarusian refineries is calculated according to the same rules as for Russian ones, but only on condition that these plants supply fuel through the St. Petersburg Exchange. 'Even if all Belarusian petrol enters the Russian market, it will provide less than 10% of Russia's needs,' the expert says. Motor petrol production in Belarus is just over 3 million tons per year, while demand from Russian motorists is almost 40 million tons. Tereshkin added that Belstat does not provide a breakdown by petrol grade, and the latest data available is for 2020.
However, the exchange is not the only sales channel for Belarusian fuel in Russia. Significant volumes of petroleum products are also supplied under direct contracts with Russian oil companies.
Supplies of Belarusian fuel to Russia are discrete in nature. Earlier, the National Price Exchange Agency explained to RBC that the volumes of petroleum product sales from Belarusian refineries are volatile and depend on the balance of supply and demand at the main production bases in Russia, weather conditions, and production volumes.
Source: RBC
