Russia extends full ban on petrol exports until February 2026

The Russian government has announced that its temporary ban on petrol exports, applying to all exporters, including direct producers, will be extended until February 28, 2026.

In a separate decree, the government also extended the ban on diesel exports, as well as marine fuels and other gas oils, until the same date, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

This restriction will not affect direct producers of petroleum products. Both measures take effect the day after the decrees are officially published.

Currently, the petrol export ban applies to all market participants until the end of 2025. Non-producers also face limits on diesel and marine fuel shipments abroad.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia’s petroleum market was “balanced” and that reserves, previously drawn down, had been replenished to levels higher than a year ago.

He added that during the peak demand period in August and September, the market was managed “manually” to ensure stability.

“We successfully navigated the period of high demand. Additional production was provided at plants with available capacity. We limited petrol and diesel exports primarily to secure the domestic market. Measures were also taken to facilitate additional fuel imports from Russia to Belarus, using the oil supplied there for processing,” Novak said.

He concluded that the fuel market is currently “completely calm.”

Russia first introduced a temporary ban on petrol exports in late July 2025 amid rising domestic fuel prices and supply concerns, applying initially to all exporters through August 31 and later extended through September and the end of 2025. 

Since then, the measure has been repeatedly prolonged to stabilise the domestic market and has been broadened to include restrictions on diesel and other fuels.

By Aghakazim Guliyev