Russia extends relaxed fuel standards and keeps gasoline export ban amid shortages

Russia has extended relaxed environmental standards to allow some refineries to produce higher-sulfur gasoline and diesel as it seeks to ease domestic fuel shortages. The government has also banned gasoline exports and extended restrictions on diesel exports through July 31, while a jet fuel export ban runs through November 30, 2026. The measures come as Ukrainian drone attacks intensify against Russian refining infrastructure and fuel supply routes. Russia has also publicly acknowledged for the first time that crude oil production has been declining since the start of the year.