Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for the first time acknowledged that Russia has begun to have problems with gasoline after Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries and announced a complete ban on gasoline exports. This, writes Slovo i Dilo, is reported by Russian propaganda media, citing Putin’s statement during a meeting on fuel supply for the domestic market. The PromPolitInform portal informs.
According to Russian media, the Russian leader recognized a “gasoline crisis” and noted that Russia has begun to use fuel reserves. In particular, Putin noted that there are queues at gas stations, and the necessary brands of gasoline “cannot always be found”.
He also noted that a temporary ban on the export of gasoline and aviation kerosene is currently in effect, and the possibility of a complete ban on the export of diesel fuel is being discussed.
“In the interests of domestic consumers, a complete ban on the export of gasoline and aviation kerosene has been temporarily introduced. The need to introduce a complete ban on the export of diesel fuel is also being considered,” Putin said.
According to the Russian dictator, the capacities of the largest refineries are being used to the maximum. At the same time, he called for “minimizing the consequences” of Ukrainian attacks on the Russian oil industry.
The Kremlin leader also said that gasoline reserves in the Russian Federation allegedly amount to 1.7 million tons.
“According to forecasts, the production of the main types of fuel should exceed June figures already in July. Previously accumulated volumes of fuel have entered the domestic market. But despite the fact that we have started to use the reserves, now the gasoline reserve practically corresponds to the level for the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Energy, now gasoline reserves amount to 1.7 million tons, which practically corresponds to the level for the same period last year,” Putin said, adding that the decrease is “only 4 percent.”
Recall that the day before, the media reported that Russia had lost a quarter of its gasoline production amid regular attacks on oil refineries. A reduction in fuel exports is also being recorded.
It was also reported that Ukraine is recording a significant increase in the supply of petroleum products from Belarus to the Russian Federation. Thus, in the period from January to May alone, gasoline exports from Belarus increased 13 times compared to the same period last year.
In addition, Russia has begun negotiations with Kazakhstan on the supply of about 50 thousand tons of AI-92 gasoline amid a fuel shortage on the domestic market.
At the same time, as is known, the Russian authorities are trying to downplay the consequences of rising gasoline prices and fuel shortages.
