Russia will suspend gasoline exports starting from April 1.

Against the backdrop of rising fuel prices, Russia will halt gasoline exports starting April 1. DW reports on this, citing the "TASS" agency. 

 

It is emphasized that the decision is being implemented to stabilize the domestic market and prevent an increase in fuel prices.

 

According to the relevant decree being prepared by the Russian Ministry of Energy, the ban will apply to all market participants in the country. At the same time, the ban will not apply to supplies within the framework of intergovernmental agreements concluded by the Russian government with other states, nor to diesel fuel.

 

The government press service stated that this measure serves to "prioritize supply to the domestic market and stabilize gasoline prices."

 

The Ministry of Energy also reported that the volume of oil refining in the country will remain at the level of March 2025. This will ensure stable supply of petroleum products to the domestic market.

 

Alexander Dyukov, head of the "Gazprom Neft" company, emphasized the necessity of banning gasoline exports during a meeting of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs attended by President Vladimir Putin. According to Dyukov, the price of oil and petroleum products on the world market has sharply increased as a result of the US and Israel's war against Iran. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent gasoline from flowing from the domestic market to external markets where there is an opportunity to sell at higher prices.

 

Such bans are not being introduced for the first time in Russia. Since the start of the war with Ukraine and after attacks on Russian oil refineries, the country's government has introduced such restrictions several times. The last time restrictions on gasoline exports were eased was in January 2026.

 

Furthermore, on the night of March 25, Ukraine struck the port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region, which further limited Russia's ability to export petroleum products. 

 

According to a "Kommersant" source, this situation could lead to a reduction in the volume of oil production and refining in the country in the near future.

 

The military actions of the US and Israel against Iran are causing sharp fluctuations in the world oil market. As a result of the war, the disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has affected approximately 20 percent of global oil supply.