For the first time, Russia acknowledged a decline in oil production in 2026 due to problems at refineries
For the first time since the beginning of 2026, Russian authorities have officially confirmed a decline in oil production. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that production had fallen due to unscheduled maintenance at a number of oil refineries.
According to Novak, current oil production volumes are lower than at the beginning of the year.
“Current production is indeed slightly lower than it was at the beginning of the year. This is due to the fact that a number of our oil refineries are currently undergoing unscheduled maintenance,” he told reporters.
However, the official did not specify which specific facilities were forced to halt or reduce operations.
The statement about “unscheduled maintenance” came amid regular attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian fuel infrastructure. Over the past few months, oil refineries, oil depots, and other facilities in Russia’s energy sector have come under attack.
At the same time, Novak assured that once operations resume, production should return to previous levels.
“Of course, we are utilizing our export infrastructure at maximum capacity. Once the oil refineries return to full operational mode, production will increase and return to previous levels,” the deputy prime minister stated.
It is worth noting that Russia stopped publishing official data on oil production back in April 2023. Since then, industry statistics have remained confidential, so Novak’s remarks have become one of the few official confirmations of problems in the country’s oil sector.
According to estimates by the International Energy Agency, the Russian oil industry is already showing a noticeable decline in production.
Key indicators:
- crude oil production in April fell by 460,000 barrels per day compared to the same period last year;
- total production fell to about 8.8 million barrels per day.
Experts believe that the Russian fuel and energy sector continues to be affected by both external sanctions and infrastructure damage resulting from attacks on oil refining facilities.
A Russian government official made a corresponding statement during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Russia has reached its highest oil export volumes since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. One of the reasons cited is Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which are forcing Moscow to divert more crude oil to foreign markets.
Oil prices have surged again, approaching $100 per barrel. The reason is problems with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the ceasefire with Iran. The market remains volatile following a sharp drop the day before.
Oil prices surged following reports of strikes on an Iranian oil terminal on Kharg Island. U.S. crude rose by more than 2%. The market is reacting to the risk of supply disruptions.
