Russia extends diesel export ban through Oct. 31

September 30, 2026 at 05:30 PM2 min

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Russia's government on Wednesday extended its ban on exports of diesel, marine fuel, and gasoil for all fuel producers through October 31. The extension keeps Russian diesel off the global market for another month amid tight supply. The move comes as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to cripple Russian refining capacity.

Key Facts

The ban covers diesel, marine fuel, and gasoil for all fuel producers and runs through October 31.
Russia's diesel shipments accounted for about 10% of global seaborne diesel supply before the export ban.
The average U.S. retail diesel price hit a record $6.41 per gallon as of September 30.
Phillips 66 executive Brian Mandell said 7 million barrels a day of refining capacity is down in Asia and the Middle East, plus another 1.4 million barrels in Russia.

Export Ban Extension

Russia's government extended the ban on exports of diesel, marine fuel, and gasoil for all fuel producers through October 31. The government said the decision was taken "to maintain a stable situation on the domestic fuel market, including to meet higher demand for fuel during the harvest season." Russia has been extending the ban by one month at a time for months as Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries cripple domestic fuel production.

Global Market Impact

The Russian ban has added to the Middle East crisis to tighten global middle distillate markets. Before the ban, Russia's diesel shipments accounted for about 10% of global seaborne diesel supply. The disappearance of Russian diesel added to the slow and uneven exit of fuel cargoes out of the Strait of Hormuz and reduced refinery operations in the Middle East following several Iranian strikes at Gulf refineries at the start of the war. Brian Mandell, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Commercial at Phillips 66, said on the Q2 earnings call in early August: "We have 7 million barrels a day of refineries down in Asia and the Middle East and another 1.4 million barrels down in Russia." The limited supply from Russia and the Middle East has sent retail diesel prices to record highs, including in the United States, where the average price of diesel is $6.41 per gallon as of September 30.