Russia turns to Belarus for fuel as Ukrainian attacks hit refineries

Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have caused significant production cuts, prompting the Russian government to seek additional fuel supplies abroad. In July, rail shipments of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from Belarus to Russia reached new monthly records – 212,000 tonnes of gasoline, 162,000 tonnes of diesel and 16,000 tonnes of aviation fuel – and year‑to‑date volumes have risen dramatically, with gasoline imports up 25‑fold to about 665,000 tonnes and diesel up nearly seven‑fold to 418,000 tonnes. Belarusian plants Naftan and Mozyr, which together process over 20 million tonnes of crude a year, are now helping to fill part of the shortfall, while Russia also looks to other sources such as Morocco and Kazakhstan.

The disruption has spilled over into neighbouring markets. In Slovakia, fuel prices have surged, with gasoline reaching €1.79‑€1.84 per litre and diesel €1.85 per litre, driven by the combined effect of Middle‑East tensions and the reduced Russian refinery output. Analysts warn that further price hikes are likely as the supply squeeze continues.