Kazakhstan Coal and Kyrgyzstan Fuel Imports Surge via Russian Ports

Kazakh coal transit through Russian Baltic and Southern ports rose sharply in the first half of 2026, reaching 6.7 million tonnes – a 34 % year‑on‑year increase. The growth follows new rail agreements between Russian Railways (RZD) and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and an EU decision that exempted certain Russian ports from sanctions for Kazakh coal transit. At the same time, Russian coal transshipment on the same routes fell to 30 million tonnes, leaving combined handling of Russian and Kazakh coal at 36.7 million tonnes.

In Kyrgyzstan, the government is negotiating with Moscow to expand fuel imports as Russia’s own fuel crisis cuts supply. Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiev said talks are under way, after the country’s gasoline shortages began in May when Ukrainian strikes reduced Russia’s refining capacity by about half. Kyrgyzstan currently imports about 90 % of its gasoline from Russia and has also signed fuel deals with Belarus and China while seeking additional agreements with Russia. The Russian gasoline export ban, originally set until the end of July, may be extended to 2026.