Russia to produce lower-quality fuel amid Ukrainian strikes on refineries

Russian authorities have allowed certain oil refineries to supply Euro 5 petrol and diesel to the domestic market despite quality indicators corresponding to Euro 3 standards, amid Ukrainian attacks on refineries and fuel supply disruptions.

Source: Latvian media outlet The Insider

Details: According to sources cited by Russian newspaper Kommersant, the exemption was introduced in autumn 2025 and extended in May 2026.

The changes primarily concern sulphur content. Under current technical regulations, Euro 5 petrol may contain no more than 10 mg of sulphur per kilogram of fuel. Certain refineries have been authorised to produce petrol containing up to 150 mg of sulphur per kilogram – 15 times the Euro 5 limit and consistent with Euro 3 standards.

For diesel fuel, the permitted sulphur content has been set at 350 mg per kilogram, which is 35 times higher than the Euro 5 limit.

Kommersant also reported that petrol may contain up to 42% aromatic hydrocarbons, up to 1% monomethylaniline – an octane-boosting additive – and up to 5% ethanol.

Russia's Ministry of Energy is responsible for overseeing the mechanism and has been instructed to report monthly to the government on producers, volumes and production technologies related to such fuel.

The fuel may be supplied only to the Russian domestic market, as its circulation is prohibited in other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Quote from The Insider: "The exemptions were introduced amid more frequent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.

In recent months, fuel shortages have been recorded in several Russian regions, as well as in annexed Crimea and the occupied parts of Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, including among Russian troops participating in combat operations."

Background:

• Earlier, fuel sales in Crimea were completely restricted for several days. Authorities said fuel would still be available through previously ration coupons, but officials at petrol stations were instructed to monitor compliance with limits of no more than 20 litres per customer.
• On 10 June, the Kuibyshev oil refinery, owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft and located in the city of Samara, suspended oil processing following a Ukrainian drone attack, Reuters reported, citing two industry sources.
• Russia has also banned aviation fuel exports until the end of November following a record series of Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries.

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