Russia bans export of jet fuel until November
After the attacks on refineries by Ukraine. Russian fuel is banned in Europe but Britain has authorised it due to low stocks
by Mara Monti
The government of Russia has banned the export of aviation fuel until 30 November. It is one of the first large-scale restrictions decided by the country. The decision came after Ukraine's attacks on some Russian oil refineries.
The ban serves to avoid possible fuel shortages on the domestic market, especially at a time when demand increases for summer holidays. For this reason, Russia has halted exports of jet fuel until the end of November to protect domestic consumption, according to the government. The reduction of production by Russian refineries puts pressure on the government in Moscow, which is trying to avoid an energy crisis and a rise in oil prices.
The effect on international markets is expected to be limited, as the country is not a major exporter of this type of fuel, concentrating shipments by rail to Central Asia, in particular to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
In Western countries, the sale of Russian oil products was banned after sanctions were introduced following the invasion of Ukraine. However, a fortnight ago the government authorised the purchase of Russian aviation fuel via third countries, such as Turkey, due to the pressure on stocks, which were at their lowest in five years.
This situation is part of a sensitive global context, in which the energy market looks to the Strait of Hormuz, through which, before the crisis, some 30% of the fuel bound for Europe passed. During the conflict in the Middle East, these flows were almost completely reduced. In Europe, part of the aviation fuel from the Strait of Hormuz was replaced by supplies from the US and Nigeria, also thanks to the Dangote refinery, helping to cover summer demand.
