Russia Imposes 6-Month Gasoline Export Ban As War Hits Refineries

Edgen Stock

·Mar 27 2026, 16:51

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Key Takeaways

Russia's decision to halt gasoline exports for six months from April 1, 2026, adds another major stressor to a global energy market already reeling from conflict-driven disruptions. The ban follows Ukrainian attacks that have disabled a significant portion of Russia's crude export capacity, signaling a strategic pivot to secure domestic supply and further roiling energy prices.

Six-Month Ban: Russia will prohibit all gasoline exports starting April 1, 2026, removing a key supplier of refined fuel from the global market.
Compounding Disruptions: The move comes as Ukrainian drone strikes in late March have already halted an estimated 40-50% of Russia's crude oil export capacity at key Baltic ports.
Intensified Price Pressure: This dual shock to both crude oil and refined product supply is expected to amplify upward pressure on global oil and gasoline prices, which are already elevated due to ongoing military conflict in the Middle East.

Russia Imposes Six-Month Gasoline Export Ban From April 1

The Russian government will implement a comprehensive six-month ban on gasoline exports for its domestic producers, effective April 1, 2026. This decision removes a significant volume of refined fuel from the international market at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and strained supply chains. The immediate effect will be a tightening of global gasoline supplies, posing a direct threat of higher prices for transportation and logistics industries worldwide and adding to inflationary pressures.

Ukrainian Strikes Cripple 50% of Crude Export Capacity

This export ban does not occur in a vacuum. It follows a series of successful Ukrainian drone attacks in late March 2026 that have severely damaged critical Russian energy infrastructure. Strikes on the Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga have disabled facilities responsible for a substantial share of the country's oil exports. Analysts estimate the attacks have halted between 40% and 50% of Russia's total crude export capacity, representing one of the most severe disruptions to its energy sector since 2022. This damage likely forced Moscow to prioritize its domestic fuel needs over foreign sales.

Dual Supply Shocks Threaten Global Energy Stability

The combination of the gasoline ban and crippled crude export hubs creates a dual supply shock for world energy markets. While the drone attacks curtail crude oil flows, the export ban specifically squeezes the supply of finished gasoline. These actions compound an already volatile situation, with global oil prices elevated by a separate military conflict in the Middle East. The compounding supply disruptions from Russia significantly increase the upside risk for benchmark crude contracts like Brent and WTI, signaling sustained high prices at the pump for the foreseeable future.