Retail gasoline prices at gas stations in Russia have risen to record levels
Following a sharp 30–40% rise in wholesale gasoline prices since the start of the year, fuel prices in Russia have begun to rise rapidly in the retail sector as well.
According to Rosstat, the average price of gasoline at Russian gas stations rose by 0.9% during the week of June 2–8, marking the highest increase since January.
By comparison, overall inflation for the same period was only 0.2%, meaning that the rise in fuel prices exceeded it several times over.
Since the beginning of the year, retail gasoline prices have risen by 5.6%, and diesel fuel prices by 4.8%, which significantly exceeds the overall inflation rate (3.5%).
Experts describe the market situation as the deepest fuel crisis since 2023. According to economist Kirill Rodionov, the key factor was a shortage of supply in the fuel market.
The reasons for the shortage are cited as:
- drone attacks on more than 30 Russian refineries;
- the shutdown or restricted operation of 8 out of 10 of the largest oil refineries;
- a 9.2% year-over-year drop in petroleum product production in April;
- a decline in refinery utilization in May to its lowest level since 2009.
According to Rosstat, price increases were recorded in 79 regions of the Russian Federation, indicating a widespread and across-the-board rise in fuel prices.
The largest weekly price jump was recorded in Sevastopol—up to +7.5%, where gasoline is even being sold by ration coupons due to shortages. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, fuel prices rose by 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively.
Analysts note that the market is under pressure from uncertainty regarding future supplies, which is triggering panic buying and further price increases.
Overall, since the start of the full-scale war, gasoline prices in Russia have risen by approximately 40%.
This is evidenced by data from Rosstat.
The shortage of automotive fuel, previously observed in the temporarily occupied Crimea, has begun to spread to the southern regions of the Russian Federation. Residents of the Krasnodar Krai and the Rostov Oblast are reporting shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel.
In the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol, restrictions on gasoline sales have been imposed due to fuel supply issues following strikes on Russian oil refineries. Russian Telegram channels reported this on May 22.
