Eurasian Newswire, MOSCOW, December 28, 2025: Russia has extended its temporary ban on the export of petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products until February 28, 2026, as part of continued measures to maintain stability in the domestic fuel market. The decision was confirmed in a government decree published on Saturday. According to the decree, the export of motor petrol outside the country will remain suspended through the end of February next year. The restriction applies to all market participants, including direct producers, refiners, and trading companies.
The move continues the government’s efforts to ensure sufficient fuel availability within Russia and prevent domestic shortages. The regulation also prolongs the existing ban on the export of marine fuel, vacuum gas oil, and other types of gas oils, including volumes acquired through exchange auctions. The government confirmed that these restrictions will apply on the same terms as before, with limited exemptions for direct producers of petroleum products and exports conducted under specific state authorizations.
Russia’s Ministry of Energy and the Federal Antimonopoly Service have jointly monitored domestic fuel supply levels in recent months. The export restrictions were first introduced earlier in 2025 in response to market fluctuations that affected internal fuel pricing and distribution. By extending the ban, the government aims to sustain balanced supply conditions across the country through the winter period. The domestic energy market has seen significant adjustments since earlier restrictions were implemented.
Domestic market stabilization remains government priority
Refineries have redirected output that would typically be allocated for export toward meeting internal demand from agricultural, industrial, and transport sectors. As a result, fuel availability across key regions has stabilized, and wholesale prices have shown greater consistency. Russia remains one of the largest global producers of oil and refined petroleum products, with a refining capacity exceeding 280 million tonnes annually. The country exports substantial volumes of fuel to international markets, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. The latest extension of export controls temporarily limits those flows but preserves supply flexibility for strategic sectors within Russia.
Under the current framework, the Energy Ministry retains the authority to approve individual export requests that meet domestic balance requirements or involve cross-border deliveries under intergovernmental agreements. However, the general prohibition remains in effect for most commercial operations. Companies operating in the refining and distribution sectors have been instructed to prioritize domestic contracts and maintain fuel reserves above minimum regulatory levels. Russia’s earlier export restrictions on petroleum products were introduced intermittently in 2023 and 2024, each time to stabilize the domestic market during periods of rising demand.
Fuel output remains stable across Russian refining regions
Similar measures were effective in curbing domestic price increases and ensuring adequate supplies for critical industries. The 2025 extension represents one of the longest durations for such restrictions since their introduction. Industry data indicates that Russia’s total fuel output has remained steady, supported by continued operations at major refining complexes across regions including Omsk, Nizhny Novgorod, and Yaroslavl. The country’s energy infrastructure continues to process large volumes of crude oil for both internal use and export, with refined product allocations adjusted according to domestic priorities. The export ban applies to motor petrol, diesel, marine fuel, and vacuum gas oil, among other categories, irrespective of whether the products are produced directly by refiners or purchased at commodity exchanges.
The policy ensures that all market participants adhere to the same restrictions, preventing diversion of supply to external markets. Government authorities are expected to review the impact of the extended restrictions before the February 2026 deadline. Any future decisions on lifting or modifying the ban will be based on production data, domestic consumption rates, and market equilibrium assessments. The continuation of Russia’s fuel export ban until February 2026 highlights the government’s ongoing focus on maintaining supply security and price stability within the domestic energy sector. The decree remains a key component of its regulatory framework for managing petroleum product distribution and ensuring sufficient fuel availability across all federal regions.