The shortage of gasoline and problems in the fuel market in Russia have started to affect countries that import large volumes of oil products from Russia, extending beyond the country's borders.
Modern.az reminds that the fuel crisis in Russia, which began in May, intensified again in August. Amid attacks on oil refineries in Ukraine, increased seasonal demand, and the incapacitation of processing capacities, gasoline shortages have emerged in various regions of the country. Restrictions on fuel sales have been reimposed in at least 10 regions, and long queues have formed in front of gas stations around Moscow.
Russia itself has already started importing fuel. It is reported that approximately 68 thousand tons of gasoline cargo from India has been delivered to Russia, and fuel supplies by rail from Belarus and Kazakhstan have increased. Moscow has also imposed restrictions on gasoline exports to stabilize the domestic market.
This situation has also put Central Asian countries, which are heavily dependent on fuel imports from Russia, in a difficult position.
Mongolia is also among the countries dependent on Russia. The fuel market in this country is highly dependent on supplies from Russia. Amid fuel shortages, measures such as restricting gasoline sales and refueling cars based on whether their license plates are even or odd have come to the fore.
Kyrgyzstan also imports more than 90 percent of its gasoline from Russia. After problems with Russian supplies, Bishkek requested an increase in fuel supplies from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. A shortage of AI-95 gasoline has also been recorded at some gas stations in the country.
Russia's share in Tajikistan's oil product imports was 91.1 percent in the first half of 2026. Approximately 600 thousand tons of oil products were imported into the country in January-June.
Uzbekistan, unlike other Central Asian states, has its own oil refining and production capabilities. Therefore, although the impact of the crisis in Russia is relatively limited, increasing domestic demand and rising import dependence are putting pressure on the market. Tensions are reportedly increasing in the gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel markets in Uzbekistan.
This situation also indicates that Russia's dominant position, which it had formed in the region's fuel market over many years, is being shaken. Central Asian countries are currently trying to expand supply opportunities from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, and other alternative sources.
Armenia, on the other hand, has started to reduce its dependence on Russia in advance. Although Russia's share in Armenia's fuel imports was very high previously, the geography of supplies has expanded in recent years. In the first quarter of 2026, only 7.4 percent of gasoline imported to Armenia came from Russia. During that period, the main suppliers were Bulgaria, Romania, and Belgium. Azerbaijan's share in Armenia's gasoline imports was also 5.2 percent.
For this reason, the impact of the fuel crisis in Russia on the Armenian market has been more limited compared to other highly dependent countries. Nevertheless, fuel prices are also rising in Armenia. According to data citing official Armenian statistics, in July 2026, gasoline increased by 7.4 percent year-on-year, and diesel fuel by 14.3 percent.
Thus, the fuel crisis that began in Russia is no longer just a problem for the domestic market. Moscow's own start of buying gasoline from abroad and the reduction of supplies to neighboring countries indicate the new pressure faced by Russia's position as an energy exporter.
