Russia can meet 65 percent of its gasoline needs

Russia's gasoline production has fallen to a level equivalent to only about 65% of seasonal average consumption after Ukrainian drone attacks led to the shutdown of major oil refineries, according to two industry sources and Reuters calculations.

Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including major oil refineries, seeking to weaken Moscow's war effort.

As fuel shortages have occurred and drivers are waiting in long lines to fill up, the Cossacks, who have been used in recent years to support the police, have helped maintain public order at some gas stations.

Damage from the attacks has forced the shutdown of a number of refineries, including NORSI and Omsk, the country's two largest gasoline producers. Another major gasoline producer, the Saratov refinery, has also been forced to halt production, industry sources said.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said gasoline production is falling short of what is needed this time of year, when the summer season increases demand due to more intense traffic, by between 40.000 and 45.000 metric tons per day, or about 35%.

In June, the daily deficit was 25%.

Daily gasoline demand in Russia during the peak summer season is between 115.000 and 120.000 tons, sources said.

The Russian Energy Ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Government measures to combat shortages

Among the government's proposals to address the fuel shortage are bans on the export of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel.

Russia has also started importing fuel. Deliveries of gasoline and diesel from Belarus to Russia reached a record monthly level in June, while industry sources said last week that Russia had also started importing gasoline by sea from India.

Traders say that up to 6.000 tons of gasoline are being delivered to Russia from neighboring Belarus daily. At the same time, existing commodity reserves are being used.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at a televised government meeting on Wednesday that the fuel supply situation remained complex and that "it is clear that the current situation at gas stations is causing concern among citizens."

Long lines were reported at gas stations in some Russian regions. In the Black Sea resort of Anapa, Cossacks helped maintain order.

Wearing a white shirt and black fur hat, Yuri Komarov said he was trying to ensure that citizens refuel as efficiently as possible.

"The goal is to avoid chaos and distribute drivers among the gas stations in an orderly manner," Komarov told Reuters.

He added that people have changed their shopping habits since news of the shortage emerged, further complicating the situation.

"You see, before people would come to the gas station and pour 10 liters, and now they fill up the whole tank, just in case. I think that's the reason for this panic. I don't see any other explanation," he said.

Industry sources say that the fuel market situation should improve in the second half of July, provided there are no new attacks on oil refineries, as refineries resume production and fuel imports increase.