Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has instructed relevant agencies to work on 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 instructions.
Furthermore, the 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 corresponding amendments to the Tax Code will be made retroactively — from 1 June 2026.
The mechanism for receiving damping payments when processing Russian oil abroad with subsequent import of the produced fuel into Russia was enshrined in law in November 2025. The damping mechanism compensates oil companies for the difference between the profitability of fuel exports and its sales 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 on extending the zero rate of import customs duty on petrol until 30 June 2027. 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 tighten 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 two months, including supplies under certain intergovernmental agreements. Thus, the restrictions could also extend to countries that were previously exempted from the export embargo.
In addition, the possibility of introducing a complete ban on diesel fuel exports is being discussed, except for supplies under intergovernmental agreements. However, the proposed duration of such restrictions has not yet been determined.
On Current Export Bans
Since 1 April, Russia has had a ban on petrol exports 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 shortage ahead of the high-demand season, which traditionally falls in spring and summer, and during the period of active agricultural work.
In addition, a temporary ban on diesel fuel exports continues to apply, but only for non-producers — traders, oil depots, and factories with small production capacity. Also, on 1 June, the government introduced a temporary embargo on the export of aviation kerosene until 30 November 2026.
If restrictions on petrol and diesel exports were introduced repeatedly since September 2023 to stabilise the domestic market, then supplies of aviation kerosene abroad are banned for the first time. Traditionally, restrictions did not apply to export volumes under intergovernmental agreements.
At the same time, the authorities are discussing a temporary ban on transit shipments of petrol through Russian territory in order to redirect additional fuel volumes to Russian consumers, sources say.
RBC has contacted Novak's office, as well as the press services of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance for comment.
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 reserves and a decline in supply at exchange trading. The Ministry of Energy hid data on petroleum product processing volumes back in 2023, explaining the closure of statistics as necessary to ensure information security of the petroleum product market amid 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 AI-95 grade over the past seven days was 9,072 tonnes — 43% lower than the average since the beginning of the year. This could have occurred amid reduced utilisation or temporary shutdown of a number of refineries after drone attacks.
Exchange sales of diesel fuel, which is considered surplus in Russia and can average up to 70% of total output, have also declined. According to RBC's interlocutor, the average sales volume over the specified period was 48,707 tonnes, almost 17% lower than the average since the beginning of the year (58,500 tonnes). He attributes the reduction in exchange sales of diesel fuel to oil companies' desire to profit from exports amid high global energy prices due to the Hormuz crisis.
According to Platts estimates (available to RBC), any export restrictions on Russian diesel fuel will lead to a narrowing 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 amounts to 37.3% of total imports 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 price of fuel and the price of its sale on the domestic market is compensated through damping payments from the budget.
RBC has sent a request to the press service of the St. Petersburg Exchange.
Open Oil Market CEO Sergey Tereshkin 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 on condition that 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 the demand of Russian car owners is almost 40 million tonnes. Tereshkin added that Belstat does not provide a breakdown by petrol grade, and the latest data available is for 2020.
But 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. Previously, the National Price Exchange Agency explained to RBC that the volumes of petroleum product sales from Belarusian refineries are volatile and depend on the relationship between supply and demand at the main production bases in Russia, weather conditions, and production volumes.
Source: RBC
