According to media reports, Russia is preparing to import gasoline from China and other Asian countries to offset a worsening domestic fuel shortage after nearly 40% of its refining capacity went offline.

Pro-government newspaper Kommersant reported on October 1 that the move comes amid a wave of Ukrainian drone and missile strikes that have severely disrupted refinery operations—an essential part of the Kremlin’s wartime economy. Several refineries have reportedly been forced to shut down indefinitely.

Moscow is now considering fuel imports from China, South Korea, and Singapore in an effort to stabilize its domestic market.

To facilitate these imports, the Russian government reportedly plans to remove fuel import tariffs for shipments entering through certain Far Eastern ports. In addition, federal budget funds will be used to subsidize importers by covering the difference between higher global market prices and lower domestic fuel prices.

Russian oil companies, including Rosneft, the Independent Oil and Gas Company (NNK), and state-owned Promsyrieimport, are expected to source gasoline from Asian suppliers, allowing Siberian refineries to deliver roughly 150,000 tons of gasoline per month to Russia’s central regions.

Moscow also plans to increase gasoline imports from Belarus and lift its ban on monomethylaniline, an octane booster used to enhance refinery output. The chemical has been banned in Russia since 2016 due to its toxicity and potential carcinogenic risks.

In a written appeal to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak warned that, despite government intervention plans, the risk of further deterioration in Russia’s domestic fuel supply remains.

According to the Financial Times, since August 2025, Ukrainian attacks have targeted at least 16 of Russia’s 38 refineries, driving diesel exports to their lowest levels since 2020.

Ukraine has urged Western allies to impose additional sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, arguing that cutting Moscow’s oil revenues would weaken its ability to finance the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on the European Union to halt energy imports from Russia, stating that stronger U.S. measures will depend on Europe reducing its reliance on Moscow’s supplies.