Russia Is Preparing To Import Diesel From Abroad, Following Its Imports Of Gasoline

• 17.07.2026, 14:08

The crisis is escalating.

The Russian government has prepared a legislative framework that will allow the import of diesel fuel following gasoline, which is already being purchased from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and India.

An import cap is being introduced for diesel, officials announced on Friday RBC on Friday by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Energy. Under this mechanism, which is already in place for imported gasoline, oil companies that import fuel will receive subsidies from the budget. The government will compensate them for the difference between import prices and domestic prices.

This measure will make it possible to quickly source fuel from abroad, while maintaining the economic attractiveness of such supplies for importers and ensuring that the needs of Russian consumers are met, said Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev.

Historically, Russia itself has been one of the largest exporters of diesel: about 40–50% of the fuel produced was exported abroad. For example, in 2023, domestic diesel consumption stood at 52.2 million metric tons, while 35.7 million metric tons were exported, notes economist Kirill Rodionov.

However, attacks on oil refineries—which drove oil refining in Russia down to 20-year lows—led to a nearly 40% drop in diesel production—even more than gasoline, whose output fell by a quarter. Farmers in the southern regions, where the harvest season has begun, are complaining about problems with diesel fuel. Gas stations have imposed limits—100 or 200 liters per customer—while a single combine harvester burns 300 liters per fieldwork shift. According to Rosstat, diesel fuel prices jumped 18.1% year-over-year by the end of June—a 15-year high. In the Southern Federal District, the average price of diesel reached 110 rubles per liter, despite the fact that exports are currently suspended—for the first time since 2023.

India is likely to become a supplier of diesel to Russia, sources familiar with the situation told Reuters. According to them, oil companies may turn to Indian refineries if the situation on the fuel market worsens. So far, India has sent only two small shipments of gasoline to Russia—about 100,000 metric tons. Meanwhile, analysts at Energy Intelligence estimate the shortage of petroleum products at 400,000–600,000 metric tons per month.