Russia Loses 30% of Gasoline Production, Fuel Sales Restrictions Imposed

In Russia, by the end of August, gasoline production fell to 70% of needs due to attacks by Ukrainian drones on major oil refineries. Fuel shortages have returned to most regions, and in the past week, drones struck refineries in Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, and Yaroslavl. As a result, the daily gap between production and demand has increased to 35,000 tons. The daily gasoline output is about 80,000 tons against an internal demand of 115,000 tons. Local authorities have imposed restrictions on fuel sales based on license plate numbers and limits on sales per individual. Russia is seeking ways to compensate for the shortfall by increasing purchases from Asia and Belarus, expecting the arrival of 270,000 tons of gasoline by sea and about 150,000 tons from Belarus. Considering imports and the export ban, Russia will only be able to cover 85% of the summer fuel demand. Earlier reports indicated a drop in oil refining in Russia to a 20-year low.