Russia is preparing to import gasoline from China and other Asian countries to ease a worsening domestic fuel shortage after nearly 40% of its refining capacity was forced offline, Kommersant, a pro-government newspaper, reported on October 1.

The move comes as a wave of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks has severely disrupted operations at Russian refineries — a key pillar of the Kremlin’s wartime economy — forcing several plants to halt production indefinitely.

According to the report, Moscow is considering importing fuel from China, South Korea, and Singapore to stabilize its domestic market.

To facilitate the imports, the Russian government reportedly plans to eliminate fuel import duties on shipments entering the country through certain Far Eastern ports. In addition, the state will use federal budget funds to cover the price gap between higher global market prices and lower domestic fuel prices, effectively subsidizing importers.

Major Russian oil producers — including Rosneft, Independent Oil and Gas Company (NNK), and the state-owned Promsyrieimport — will be allowed to bring in gasoline from Asia, helping Siberian refineries deliver about 150,000 tons of gasoline per month to central Russia.

Moscow also reportedly plans to increase gasoline imports from Belarus and lift its ban on monomethylaniline (MMA) — an octane booster used to enhance refinery output. Russia banned MMA in 2016 due to its toxicity and potential carcinogenic risks.

According to Kommersant, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak warned in a written appeal to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin that despite government intervention plans, the risk of further deterioration in domestic fuel supplies remains high.

The Financial Times reported that since August 2025, Ukrainian strikes have targeted at least 16 of Russia’s 38 refineries, pushing the country’s diesel exports to their lowest level since 2020.

Ukraine has urged its Western allies to tighten 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, saying that America’s tougher stance depends on Europe reducing its dependence on Moscow.