Russian exports of petrol via rail have been halved in March. The export reduction follows an embargo that the Kremlin introduced. It implemented the embargo to curb domestic fuel shortages.

Russia introduced a fuel export ban on 1 March. The ban aims to mitigate the country’s ongoing fuel shortage, which has led to rising prices. With the embargo, Russia wants to continue meeting domestic demand and allow for maintenance of its oil refineries.

The publication Reuters cites two market sources, as well as its own calculations, for the data. Russia exported 323,000 metric tonnes of petrol via rail in March. Most of the petrol went to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, which imported 75,500 and 53,500 tonnes respectively. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan follow at 47,800 and 42,300 tonnes.

Russia continues to export petrol to a number of countries despite the embargo. These exceptions are countries with which Russia has fuel supply agreements. Similarly, exports via seaports were limited. Russia exported 29,800 tonnes of petrol via the ports of Ust-Luga and Murmansk in total.

Drone attacks

Russia introduced the petrol export embargo in order to meet rising domestic demand. However, Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries have worsened Russia’s oil deficit, limiting its export capacity.

In March, Ukraine struck over a dozen Russian oil refineries with drones. The strikes may have temporarily disrupted up to 15 per cent of Russia’s oil refining capacity, according to a NATO official. Depending on the extent of the damage, repairs could take a considerable amount of time.

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