Russia imports jet fuel from Belarus at nearly four times last year's rate after drone strikes knock out Moscow's main refinery
Russia imported 5,170 metric tons of jet fuel from Belarus in May, nearly four times the volume from May 2025. Following Ukrainian drone strikes that knocked out Moscow's main refinery until the end of 2026, the Russian government imposed a temporary ban on jet fuel exports.
According to RBC, citing data from the Price Index Center (PIC), Russia imported 5,170 metric tons of jet fuel from Belarus in May 2026, nearly four times the volume recorded in May 2025. The independent Russian business outlet The Bell reported that deliveries reached 2,600 tons in the first ten days of June alone.
No official statistics exist on production, domestic consumption, or export of aviation fuel in Russia. PIC estimates indicate Russia produced 11.4 million tons of aviation fuel in 2025, with 1.4 million tons coming from the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya, owned by Gazprom Neft. In June, Ukrainian drones struck that refinery. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported that the damage will keep the plant offline through the end of 2026.
On June 1, 2026, the Russian government imposed its first temporary ban on jet fuel exports, stating it was necessary to "ensure a stable situation on the domestic fuel market." The airline Azimut warned that Russia faces a critical jet fuel shortage and that operating flights no longer makes economic sense. The company reported that in early June, its main jet fuel supplier said deliveries would have to be cut by about a third from the volumes the airline had requested, citing "force majeure conditions at oil refineries" and the resulting drop in available aviation fuel.
