Russia Has Increased Imports of Belarusian Fuel to Record Levels Following Attacks on Oil Refineries – Reuters

In July, gasoline and diesel fuel shipments from Belarus to Russia reached record levels due to a shortage caused by unscheduled shutdowns at Russian oil refineries following attacks by Ukrainian drones. 

At the beginning of the month, gasoline production in Russia fell to approximately 65% of average seasonal consumption, while diesel output dropped to nearly the level of domestic demand, forcing the Russian government to impose strict restrictions on exports of its own fuel.

In July, rail shipments of Belarusian gasoline to Russia increased by 13% compared to June (to 212,000 metric tons), while diesel fuel shipments doubled (to 162,000 metric tons). Overall, during the first seven months of the year, gasoline imports from Belarus increased 25-fold compared to the same period last year (to nearly 665,000 metric tons), while diesel imports increased nearly sevenfold (to 418,000 metric tons). In addition to Belarus, Russia has also begun purchasing gasoline from India, Kazakhstan, and Morocco.

Source: Reuters.

The Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of the largest in Russia, halted crude oil processing following a drone strike. The facility may remain shut down for approximately two weeks.

SBU drones struck the Lukoil refinery in Perm, more than 1,500 km from Ukraine.

As a reminder, on the night of July 29, the Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out strikes on a number of military and infrastructure targets on Russian territory and in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Among the targets struck were the Ryazan Oil Refinery, a base for Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels, a radar station, and military logistics facilities.

On July 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new results from strikes on Russian facilities used to support and prolong the war against Ukraine.