Diesel prices in the U.S. have risen to a record $5.89
The price of diesel fuel in the U.S. has risen to a record $5.89 per gallon. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited problems with global oil refining capacity and significant damage to Russian refineries—which have effectively ended Russia’s status as a major diesel exporter—as among the reasons for this situation.
Diesel fuel prices in the U.S. have reached a new record high. This week, the price per gallon rose to $5.89. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright commented on the situation during an appearance on CBS.
According to him, one of the reasons for the high prices is problems in the global oil refining market. Wright specifically highlighted what is happening with Russia’s oil refining industry. “The situation with diesel fuel has been challenging because Russian refineries have suffered significant losses,” the U.S. secretary said.
Russia no longer exports diesel
Wright explained that until recently, Russia had been one of the major suppliers of diesel fuel to the global market. Now the situation has changed. According to the secretary, Russia has effectively stopped exporting diesel and has instead begun purchasing fuel abroad itself. “Russia used to be a major exporter of diesel fuel. Today, it does not export diesel fuel at all and, moreover, has become a major importer of gasoline,” Wright said.
Thus, the problems facing Russian refineries affect more than just Russia itself. A decline in refining volumes could reduce the amount of fuel reaching the international market. Russian oil refineries have recently been repeatedly targeted by drone attacks. Due to the damage, some plants have been forced to cut back or halt production.
This has already affected the domestic Russian market. The country has experienced gasoline shortages, restrictions on fuel sales have been imposed in some regions, and the government has been forced to increase imports and limit exports.
Refineries around the world have become a problem area
However, Chris Wright does not attribute the rise in fuel prices solely to the situation in Russia. According to him, the main problem right now lies in global oil refining capacity. Gasoline and diesel prices depend to a large extent on just how much finished fuel refineries can produce.
“It is global oil refining capacity that is driving up gasoline and crude oil prices,” Wright explained. In other words, the price of crude oil is only part of the story. If there is a global shortage of refining capacity, this can drive up the price of finished fuel.
For consumers, this is particularly noticeable in the case of diesel. It’s not just used by car owners. Diesel is needed for trucks, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and other vehicles. Therefore, a sharp rise in its cost can affect not only drivers but also the prices of transportation and goods.
The U.S. is considering ways to lower prices
Wright’s statement came in response to a question from a CBS host about the record-high price of diesel fuel and the possibility of restricting its export from the U.S. The U.S. administration is considering various options that could help lower prices for consumers.
At the same time, the secretary stated that the main focus right now is on increasing fuel production. According to him, Washington wants, first and foremost, to ensure a greater supply in the domestic market.
The issue of exports also remains important. If some of the U.S. fuel is kept within the country, this could theoretically increase its availability to American consumers. But such decisions could also have consequences for the international market, as the U.S. is one of the major players in the trade of petroleum products.
Why This Is Important for Russia
The problems facing Russian refineries were one of the factors highlighted by the U.S. secretary. Russia has traditionally been a major producer and exporter of petroleum products. If its refining capacity continues to operate with disruptions for an extended period, the country will have to divert more fuel to its domestic market and even purchase it abroad.
This alters Russia’s role in the global market. Instead of supplying large volumes of diesel to other countries, Moscow is forced to address its own shortage. For the Russian economy, this means additional pressure on the fuel market.
At the same time, there is no basis for claiming that attacks on Russian refineries were the sole cause of record-high prices in the U.S. The price of diesel is influenced simultaneously by global supplies, demand, refinery operations, logistics, and the situation on the crude oil market. However, according to Chris Wright’s assessment, the problems facing Russian oil refining are part of a broader issue with global refining capacity.
Currently, U.S. authorities are looking for ways to increase fuel supply and curb further price increases. Meanwhile, the situation in Russia demonstrates how quickly problems at major refineries can affect not only a single country but also the global market for petroleum products. This is reported by CBS.
As of September 4, 2026, Ukraine’s largest gas station chains have updated their fuel prices. The average price of A-95 gasoline is approximately 82.76 UAH per liter, and diesel fuel is 93.51 UAH per liter.
