Fuel imports from Belarus to Russia have risen to a record high
5 August 19:15
Following a series of attacks on oil refineries, Russia is becoming increasingly dependent on fuel imports. In July, shipments from Belarus reached a record high, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing Reuters.
According to the agency, gasoline and diesel fuel shipments from Belarus to Russia reached a new monthly record in July. This was caused by a fuel shortage resulting from unscheduled shutdowns at Russian oil refineries following several months of attacks by Ukrainian drones.
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“In early July, gasoline production in Russia fell to about 65% of average seasonal consumption, while diesel fuel output dropped to nearly the level of domestic demand,” Reuters reports.
Amid the shortage and rising prices, the Russian government banned diesel fuel exports, allowing exceptions only for previously signed contracts and shipments under intergovernmental agreements. Similar restrictions on gasoline and jet fuel exports were already in place.
According to Reuters, in July, rail shipments of gasoline from Belarus to Russia rose by 13% compared to June, reaching 212,000 metric tons. Diesel fuel shipments during the same period doubled, reaching 162,000 metric tons. At the same time, imports of jet fuel from Belarus fell from 16,000 metric tons in June to about 13,100 metric tons in July.
“Overall, during the first seven months of 2026, gasoline shipments from Belarus to Russia increased 25-fold compared to the same period last year—to nearly 665,000 metric tons. Diesel fuel imports rose nearly sevenfold, reaching 418,000 metric tons,” Reuters reports.
In addition to Belarus, Russia has also begun importing gasoline from India, Kazakhstan, and Morocco.
Belarus is redirecting fuel
Belarus has redirected fuel previously intended for Central Asian countries to the Russian market. Experts believe that the additional volumes will partially alleviate the situation on the Russian market, but will not be enough to fully cover the shortage. Belarus’s annual export potential is estimated at 1.8–2 million metric tons, or 150,000–170,000 metric tons per month. June’s shipments have already nearly reached this limit.
As a reminder, from July 27 to August 2, the SBU carried out a series of strikes against Russia’s military and fuel-and-energy infrastructure. Among the targets struck were oil refineries in Perm, Volgograd, and Ufa; the “Khanskaya” military airfield; radar stations; ammunition and fuel depots; and infrastructure at the port of Taman. In addition, on the night of August 4, Ukrainian drones attacked the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara Region of the Russian Federation.
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