Key facts
- Russian seaborne oil product exports increased 16.4% in August from July.
- Total Russian fuel exports were 50% below August 2025 levels.
- Russia shipped 4.57 million metric tons of oil products in August.
- Shipments from Baltic ports rose 32.7% to 2.62 million tons.
- Black Sea and Azov Sea exports fell 25.3% to 930,000 tons.
- Moscow extended its diesel export ban through October 31.
Russia's seaborne oil product exports saw a 16.4% increase in August compared to July, as several refineries resumed operations after unplanned maintenance. Despite this rebound, total fuel exports remained 50% lower than in August 2025. The country shipped 4.57 million metric tons of oil products last month, with naphtha and fuel oil making up a significant portion of the cargo mix due to ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries and Moscow's restrictions on diesel exports. Shipments from Baltic ports, including Primorsk, Vysotsk, St. Petersburg, and Ust-Luga, increased by 32.7% to 2.62 million tons. Conversely, exports from the Black Sea and Azov Sea regions decreased by 25.3% to 930,000 tons. Arctic shipments rose to 130,400 tons, and Far East loadings climbed 34% to 890,000 tons. Several of Russia's largest diesel-producing refineries have been shut or are operating at significantly reduced capacity following repeated Ukrainian attacks throughout 2026. In response, Moscow has extended its diesel export ban through October 31 to allow refiners to complete maintenance and rebuild domestic stocks ahead of winter. Russian diesel exports had already fallen sharply in June, contributing to global diesel shortages.