Ukrainian Drone Strikes Cut Russian Gasoline Output to 70% of Domestic Demand
According to Reuters, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries cut gasoline output to ~80,000 t/day, about 70% of estimated summer demand.
RUSSIA,ECONOMY
Global N Press
8/30/20262 min read
MOSCOW, Aug. 28, 2026 — A new wave of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries has pushed gasoline production down to about 80,000 metric tons per day, or roughly 70% of estimated summer domestic demand, according to industry sources cited by Reuters.
The disruptions have renewed fuel shortages in parts of Russia after supplies briefly improved in late July. Several major refineries have suspended or reduced operations following the attacks, prompting some regional authorities to reintroduce fuel-sale restrictions as the Russian government moves to increase imports and limit exports.
Refinery Outages Widen Supply Gap
Two industry sources cited by Reuters estimated Russian summer gasoline demand at about 115,000 metric tons per day. At current production levels, this represents a potential daily shortfall of roughly 35,000 tons before imports, inventories and other supply measures are taken into account.
Refineries in Perm, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl were among the facilities affected by attacks during the week. Average gasoline production in August has been about 90,000 tons per day, or roughly 80% of estimated demand, but output has since fallen toward levels recorded during fuel shortages in early July.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian energy infrastructure as part of its broader effort to disrupt Moscow's energy revenues and impose economic costs.
Fuel Restrictions Return
The latest refinery disruptions have affected several Russian regions. Local authorities have reinstated measures aimed at limiting gasoline consumption, including purchase limits and restrictions based on vehicle registration numbers.
The pressure comes during the peak summer demand period, when agricultural activity, transportation and private vehicle use typically increase fuel consumption. Refinery maintenance, combined with repeated attacks, has further constrained domestic supplies.
Imports and Export Controls
Russia is seeking to offset the production shortfall through increased imports. Market participants cited by Reuters expect about 150,000 metric tons of gasoline to arrive from Belarus in August, while seaborne petroleum-product supplies from Asian countries are expected to total roughly 270,000 tons.
Traders estimated that around 220,000 tons of imported gasoline had already entered Russia during August. Including imports and other market measures, gasoline available to the domestic market could average about 97,000 tons per day, or approximately 85% of estimated summer demand.
The Russian government has also tightened export controls to prioritize domestic supplies. A government decree introduced a temporary ban on exports of gasoline, diesel, marine fuel and certain gas oils from Aug. 1 through Jan. 31, 2027, subject to specified exemptions.
Broader Energy-Market Impact
The immediate effects are concentrated in Russia's domestic fuel market, where prolonged shortages could increase transportation and agricultural costs. Extended refinery disruptions could also constrain the oil industry's ability to process crude into refined products for domestic consumption and export.
The broader international impact will depend on the duration and scale of the outages. Reduced Russian exports could tighten global supplies of refined fuels, while increased Russian imports could add competition for available products in international markets.
For now, Russia is relying on imports, export restrictions, inventory releases and refinery-management measures to stabilize domestic supplies. Continued attacks on refining infrastructure could make it more difficult to maintain that balance.
