Russia grapples with fuel quality concerns amid widening shortages

Diluted gasoline has begun appearing at gas stations across Russia as the country contends with a growing fuel shortage, Yuri Valko, head of the Russian Union of Car Service Centers, said.

Valko warned that the degradation of fuel quality is already leading to vehicle malfunctions — with owners of Chinese Geely models reportedly among the first to raise complaints, Caliber.Az reports.

“Russian fuel producers have started cutting corners on quality due to their inability to raise prices,” Valko stated. “There’s a connection between these rumors and what’s happening now. Many have begun increasing the octane rating by adding certain substances, driven by the economic situation and shortages in particular regions.”

He noted that this is not a new phenomenon. “We’ve seen similar cases at some gas stations in the late 2000s and early 2010s. You could fill up your tank and head straight to a car repair shop. Unfortunately, we may be heading back to that stage,” he warned.

The current crisis stems from a wave of Ukrainian military strikes launched in August, targeting Russian oil refineries. More than 20 major refineries — approximately one-third of Russia’s total — have reportedly been affected. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that Russia’s refining capacity has declined by about 10%, down to 5 million barrels per day, and forecasts that production may not fully recover until mid-2026.

In response, Russian authorities have implemented emergency measures to stabilize the domestic fuel market. These include a ban on gasoline exports, a fourfold increase in fuel imports from Belarus, and the removal of import duties to facilitate fuel shipments from China, South Korea, and Singapore.

The government is also weighing the reintroduction of monomethylaniline (MMA), a controversial octane-boosting additive previously used in Russia until 2016. MMA is banned in most countries due to its high toxicity and carcinogenic potential, but officials argue that its use could help increase domestic fuel output amid the ongoing supply constraints.

By Vafa Guliyeva