Russia Faces 20% Gasoline Shortage: Why Prices Are Rising and Fuel Is Vanishing.

Russia's Gasoline Deficit

According to UATV: Russia is currently grappling with a 20% gasoline deficit, driven by severe supply chain disruptions. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have caused a monthly shortfall of approximately 350,000 to 400,000 tons. The situation is compounded by the collapse of traditional solutions: last year, Russia imported 250,000 tons of gasoline per month, but now it requires 400,000 to 500,000 tons monthly to meet domestic demand. This crisis highlights the vulnerability of Russia's energy infrastructure amid ongoing conflict.

Economic Fallout

Economist Oleg Pendzin noted that official fuel price data fails to capture the reality at gas stations.

“Official statistics are misleading: a price increase on paper doesn't mean fuel has appeared” - Oleg Pendzin.

He added that market pricing logic depends on the presence of both buyers and sellers, which is becoming untenable under current conditions.

As of now, Brent crude oil is priced at $70 per barrel, while Urals stands at $60. Pendzin remarked that

“Russia is doomed to rising oil product prices”

and described the country's economic situation as “extremely difficult.” Summarizing, the expert stated that after Ukrainian drone strikes destroyed roughly 35–40% of Russia's refining capacity, the fuel market remains in a critical state.

Russia's gasoline deficit underscores the serious challenges the country faces amid the ongoing war and escalating attacks on its infrastructure. Rising domestic demand, combined with plummeting refining output, could drive fuel prices even higher, affecting the broader economy. The inability to import sufficient fuel volumes only deepens this crisis, threatening market stability and consumer access to energy resources.