Overview

• Gazprom’s Astrakhan gas processing plant stopped motor fuel output after a Sept. 22 drone-caused fire, with wholesale sales canceled and repairs expected to take weeks or months.
• Interfax reports the government is considering extending the gasoline export ban for producers to Oct. 31, with sources calling the move highly likely.
• The Financial Times reports an idea has been floated to impose a complete diesel export ban by year-end.
• Cargo-tracking data cited by the FT show Russian diesel exports dropping to their lowest levels since 2020 as strikes since August hit 16 of 38 refineries and curb over 1 million barrels per day of capacity.
• Retailers and traders report spot shortages of some gasoline grades, while the FT notes domestic diesel production still exceeds internal demand by more than 50%.