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Ukraine’s Long-Range Drone Attacks Drive Russian Diesel Exports to Five-Year Low
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Ukraine’s stepped-up long-range drone campaign against Russian oil infrastructure has pushed Russia’s diesel exports toward their lowest level since 2020, the Financial Times reported on September 23.
The outlet cited Energy Aspects data that 16 of Russia’s 38 refineries have been struck since August, curbing more than 1 million barrels per day of refining capacity, and noted that diesel premiums have risen to about $25–$30 a barrel over Brent as supply tightens.
The pressure on domestic supply is visible across several Russian regions. “Temporary” disruptions at filling stations in the Nizhny Novgorod region are linked to supply chains, Governor Gleb Nikitin said on September 23.
An attendant in Belgorod region added: “The manager decided to temporarily close the gasoline station because there was no gasoline… The station in the neighboring village also closed, and others simply ran out of gasoline.”
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Local officials have also acknowledged fresh damage from Ukrainian strikes. After another attack on the Gazprom-controlled Salavat petrochemical complex in Bashkortostan on September 24, regional governor Radiy Khabirov wrote: “Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat has been subjected to another terrorist drone attack… All emergency services are on scene, and firefighting measures are underway.”
Moscow has signaled policy responses to protect the domestic market. Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin said further restrictions on fuel exports were possible if needed.
Russia has already extended a gasoline export ban through September and could prolong curbs into October. Separately, Russian media reported officials were weighing tighter limits on diesel exports.
Earlier, it was reported that fuel shortages were spreading across multiple Russian regions as Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries disrupted supplies and pushed some independent gas stations to close.
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