Russia has ramped up its gasoline imports from neighboring Belarus in March to offset potential shortages in the domestic market caused by unforeseen refinery maintenance at Russian facilities following drone attacks, according to industry and trade sources. Traditionally a net fuel exporter, Russia has been compelled to increase imports due to disruptions in its refining sector, prompted by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries earlier this year. To address the risk of fuel scarcity, Russia imposed a ban on gasoline exports starting March 1, redirecting its focus towards stabilizing the domestic supply.
While Russia typically has minimal fuel imports from Belarus, recent circumstances have led to a surge in imports, with nearly 3,000 metric tons recorded in the first half of March. Ongoing discussions between governments and oil companies are underway to determine the extent of future imports, with challenges arising as Belarus prioritizes fuel exports to international markets. The volume of imports required by Russia will hinge on the timing of refinery repairs, offering the possibility of increased oil supplies to Belarusian refineries in exchange for additional petroleum products for the Russian market. However, technical limitations and uncertainties regarding Belarus’s production capacity may pose constraints on the extent of increased output.
Both countries’ energy authorities and key industry players have refrained from commenting on the situation, leaving questions surrounding potential solutions and the impact on regional fuel dynamics unanswered.