Belarus Fuel Exports to Russia Reach Record Amid Refinery Disruptions

MOSCOW- Belarusian exports of gasoline and diesel to Russia climbed to a record monthly high in July as fuel shortages in Russia deepened following unplanned outages at oil refineries hit by months of Ukrainian drone attacks, according to two industry sources and Reuters calculations.

The increased shipments underscore Moscow’s efforts to stabilize domestic fuel supplies after refinery disruptions reduced production and prompted the government to tighten controls on fuel exports. Belarus, Russia’s closest ally and a key refining partner, has become an increasingly important supplier as the country seeks to offset production losses.

Industry data and Reuters calculations showed that Russian gasoline production fell in early July to a level equivalent to about 65% of seasonal average consumption. Diesel output also declined to roughly the level required to meet domestic demand, leaving limited room for exports.

As wholesale and retail fuel prices rose, the Russian government imposed a ban on diesel exports while allowing exemptions for shipments covered by previously signed contracts and intergovernmental agreements. Similar restrictions on gasoline and jet fuel exports had already been introduced to prioritize domestic supply.

According to source-based railway shipment data, gasoline deliveries from Belarus to Russia increased 13% in July from the previous month to 212,000 metric tons. Diesel shipments doubled over the same period to 162,000 metric tons.

Jet fuel exports from Belarus to Russia totaled about 13,100 metric tons in July, compared with approximately 16,000 metric tons in June, according to the same data.

Belarus supplies refined fuel from its two refineries, which process Russian crude oil and have a combined refining capacity of about 24 million metric tons annually, or roughly 480,000 barrels per day. The facilities have become increasingly important in supporting Russia’s fuel market as domestic refinery operations face repeated disruptions.

The sharp increase in deliveries has extended throughout the year. Reuters calculations based on industry data showed that gasoline shipments by rail from Belarus to Russia during the first seven months of 2026 increased 25-fold compared with the same period a year earlier, reaching nearly 665,000 metric tons.

Diesel exports over the January-July period also rose sharply, increasing nearly sevenfold from the corresponding period in 2025 to approximately 418,000 metric tons.

Industry sources said Russia has also begun importing gasoline from India, Kazakhstan and Morocco as it seeks to supplement domestic supplies and ease pressure on the fuel market.

The supply adjustments come as Russia continues to contend with repeated Ukrainian drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure, forcing temporary refinery shutdowns and disrupting fuel production. The resulting supply constraints have prompted the government to rely more heavily on imports from allied and other supplier countries while maintaining export restrictions to protect domestic consumers.