Moscow Turns to Foreign Imports as Drone Strikes Cripple Refineries

Facing a mounting fuel crunch, the Kremlin has confirmed active negotiations to import gasoline from neighboring nations. The move follows months of persistent Ukrainian drone strikes that have successfully targeted key Russian oil infrastructure, forcing the world’s second-largest crude exporter to seek external supplies to stabilize its domestic market.

Money Talk·July 2, 2026·reads: 2,164

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Tuesday that discussions are underway to secure fuel imports at acceptable price points, though he stopped short of naming specific partners. Reports suggest Moscow is eyeing 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline from Kazakhstan, with India also surfacing as a potential supplier. These negotiations come as Russian gasoline reserves have dipped to 1.7 million metric tons, a 4% decline compared to the previous year.

President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the supply strain on Sunday, admitting that attacks on energy infrastructure have created a "certain shortage" that is not yet critical. The strategy to mitigate this includes new government subsidies and tax changes approved by lawmakers last week to facilitate foreign purchases. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has characterized these imports as a primary tool for market stabilization.

The vulnerability of Russia’s energy sector has been underscored by the success of small, slow-moving Ukrainian drones, which have bypassed air defense systems designed to intercept traditional missiles and warplanes. Recent strikes have forced a state of emergency in Crimea, where fuel access is now restricted to military and state entities. The impact reached the capital earlier this month, when smoke plumes rose over Moscow following an attack on a major refinery, signaling a significant shift in the reach of the conflict.