Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has instructed relevant departments to work out a number of issues to stabilise the domestic fuel market. In particular, they are to hold consultations with Belarus to increase petrol supplies to Russia. This was reported to RBC by two sources familiar with the content of the instructions.
In addition, authorities are discussing the possibility of increasing payments under the import damping mechanism, including for Belarusian fuel. According to one of RBC's interlocutors, it is possible that relevant amendments to the Tax Code will be introduced retroactively — from 1 June 2026.
The mechanism for receiving the damping payment when processing Russian oil abroad with subsequent import of the produced fuel into Russia was enshrined in law in November 2025. The damping payment 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 until 30 June 2027 of the zero import customs duty rate on petrol. Another measure to support the domestic market, according to sources, could be a change in the tax regime for certain types of fuel. In particular, the authorities plan to zero the excise duty on AI-95 petrol obtained by blending 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. Relevant departments 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 could extend to countries that were previously exempt from the export embargo.
In addition, the possibility of introducing a complete ban on the export of diesel fuel is being discussed, with the exception of supplies under intergovernmental agreements. However, the proposed duration of such restrictions has not yet been determined.
On Current Export Bans
In Russia, a ban on petrol exports has been in effect since 1 April until 31 July. The embargo applies both to refineries with a production capacity of more than 1 million tonnes of petroleum products per year and to traders. The ban was introduced to prevent a deficit ahead of the high-demand season, which traditionally falls in spring and summer, as well as during the period of active agricultural work.
In addition, a temporary ban on diesel fuel exports continues, but only for non-producers — traders, oil depots and plants with small production capacity. Also on 1 June, the government introduced a temporary embargo, until 30 November 2026, on the export of aviation kerosene.
While restrictions on petrol and diesel exports have been imposed repeatedly since September 2023 to stabilise 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.
Simultaneously, authorities are discussing a temporary ban on transit shipments of petrol across Russian territory in order to redirect additional fuel volumes to Russian consumers, sources say.
RBC has requested 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 in the fuel market links the preparation of additional measures to saturate the country with fuel to a reduction in domestic stocks and a decrease in supply on exchange trading. The Ministry of Energy concealed data on petroleum product processing volumes back in 2023, explaining the closure of statistics by the need to ensure information security of the oil products market under the "existing geopolitical situation".
According to the interlocutor, the average volume of AI-92 petrol sales on the St Petersburg Exchange from 25 to 29 May was 17,088 tonnes, which is 26% lower than the average since the beginning of the year of 23,000 tonnes per trading session. The figure for the AI-95 grade over the past seven-day period was 9,072 tonnes — 43% lower than the average since the start of the year. This could have occurred amid reduced utilisation or temporary shutdowns of a number of refineries after drone attacks.
Exchange sales of diesel fuel have also declined. Russia's diesel production is considered surplus and can average up to 70% of total output. According to the RBC source, the average sales volume for the period was 48,707 tonnes, almost 17% lower than the average since the start of the year (58,500 tonnes). He links the reduction in exchange sales of diesel fuel to oil companies' desire to profit from exports amid high global energy prices against the backdrop of the Hormuz crisis.
According to estimates by Platts (which RBC has seen), 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 tonnes of diesel fuel or gasoil to the Mediterranean. This represents 37.3% of the total import volume into these countries.
How Imports from Belarus Are Structured
Supplies of Belarusian fuel to Russia are carried out primarily through the St Petersburg Exchange. Belarusian refineries sell petrol and diesel fuel to the state trader 'Promsyrieimport', which then sells these volumes on the exchange at domestic Russian prices. The difference between the purchase cost of the fuel and its selling price on the domestic market is compensated through damping 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 damping mechanism for petrol and diesel for Belarusian refineries is calculated according to the same rules as for Russian ones, but only if these plants supply fuel through the St Petersburg Exchange. 'Even if all Belarusian petrol were to enter the Russian market, it would provide less than 10% of Russia's needs,' the expert says. Production of motor petrol in Belarus is just over 3 million tonnes per year, while demand from Russian motorists is nearly 40 million tonnes. 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 products sold by Belarusian refineries are volatile and depend on the balance of supply and demand at major production bases in Russia, weather conditions, and production volumes.
Source: RBC
