Russian Gasoline Prices Hit Record High Since War Began Amid Refinery Disruptions

Russian gasoline prices have surged to a record high since the start of the war, according to data from Rosstat. The statistics show that in the week from June 9 to June 15, gasoline at Russian filling stations rose by an average of 0.95%, with a cumulative increase of 1.93% over two weeks in June—more than double the entire May increase of 0.85%. Monthly price growth has accelerated for five consecutive weeks, with analysts from the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting estimating monthly inflation at 3.93%, the highest since May 2018.

The price spike is attributed to unplanned maintenance at oil refineries, which has forced many regions to rely on fuel imports from areas with stable production. Since the beginning of June, drone strikes have halted production at several major refineries, including Moscow refinery operated by Gazprom Neft, Taneco (Tatneft's largest plant) in Nizhnekamsk, Kuibyshev refinery of Rosneft, and Volgograd refinery of Lukoil. In May, at least six plants halted output and at least 16 came under drone attacks—a record number since the war began. Consequently, refinery utilization in Russia dropped by a third by early June, and crude oil processing volumes fell below 4 million barrels per day for the first time since the mid-2000s, according to Energy Intelligence.

Rosstat reported that gasoline prices are rising across the board, with increases recorded in 78 regions of Russia. The largest price jumps were in the Republic of Tyva (+9.4%) and Chechnya. Diesel fuel has also risen sharply—by 5.7% since the start of the year—sparking complaints from agricultural workers in southern and central Russia. Analyst Janis Kluge from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs noted that in no year since the war began has gasoline risen so quickly. From the start of the year to June 15, fuel price growth reached 6.61%, double the rate for the same period in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

The fuel crisis is seen as a threat to the broader economy. Yaroslav Kabakov, a strategist at Finam, warned that rising gasoline prices could drive overall inflation and limit the central bank's ability to cut interest rates. "The most alarming aspect is that the crisis is just beginning," Kabakov said. "The peak of seasonal demand traditionally falls in August–September, and signs of shortage and price acceleration have already appeared in June."

To mitigate the situation, the Russian government has lowered gasoline quality requirements, started purchasing gasoline in Asia, and allowed oil companies to sell less fuel on exchanges in order to supply agricultural and socially significant consumers, such as government agencies, military units, and hospitals. However, economist Kirill Rodionov argued that in the long term, only security guarantees for refineries and lifting sanctions on equipment imports for Russian oil refining would provide a sustainable solution.