Russia

IN BRIEF: Novak’s directives on supplying Russian fuel market and refineries’ repairs

TASS English · 2026-08-21

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak chaired a meeting where authorities outlined plans to optimize maintenance schedules for oil refineries to prevent fuel supply shortages and discussed the distribution and labeling of environmentally classified fuels. • Why it matters: These measures aim to stabilize the domestic fuel market, ensure fair pricing, and enhance transparency in fuel sales, which are crucial for both consumers and agricultural producers in Russia. • What to watch next: Monitor the implementation of these directives and any subsequent changes in fuel supply dynamics, pricing, and environmental compliance in the Russian market.

IN BRIEF: Novak’s directives on supplying Russian fuel market and refineries’ repairs TASS has compiled the key takeaways from the meeting chaired by the Russian deputy prime minister© Igor Onuchin/TASSMOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Russian authorities have set a goal to optimize maintenance schedules of oil refineries to minimize the risk of supply shortages in the fuel market, the cabinet reported following a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. TASS has compiled the key takeaways from the meeting. Optimization of refineries’ maintenance schedules Russian authorities have set a goal to optimize the schedules for planned maintenance at oil refineries, according to a statement by the cabinet of ministers. This is necessary "to minimize the risks of a reduction in market supply." Availability of information on fuel class The meeting addressed the mechanism for distributing fuels of environmental classes K2, K3, and K4, as well as quality control, pricing, and labeling for such fuels, the government said. Information regarding the fuel’s environmental class must be displayed "on the fuel dispenser’s information panel, in the consumer information area, and on the cash register receipt." The cabinet has already said that the information must be presented in an accessible format. The Russian government previously authorized the production, import, and release into circulation of gasoline meeting environmental classes K2, K3, and K4 (Euro 2, Euro 3, Euro 4) until July 1, 2027. Meeting Participants of the meeting discussed the implementation of measures "aimed at saturating the domestic fuel market, maintaining fair prices, and increasing the transparency of fuel sales in both the wholesale and retail segments." Monitoring of the fuel market also continues in cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry regarding supplies to agricultural producers, and with the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East regarding the northern delivery program, the report said. The Energy Ministry reported on the implementation by oil companies of recommendations to increase supplies of motor gasoline and diesel fuel to the domestic market, including by boosting imports and releasing fuel of environmental classes K2, K3, and K4 into circulation. TagsAlexander NovakRussian authorities optimizing refineries’ maintenance schedules to stabilize fuel marketThe cabinet of ministers discussed the implementation of measures aimed at ensuring sufficient fuel supplies for the domestic marketRead moreMusk agrees that state debt of $50 trillion will be critical for USEarlier this week, the US state debt exceeded record $40 trillionRead moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia's Battlegroup South and Battlegroup Center units liberated settlements of Nikolaipolye and Matyashevo in the Donetsk People’s RepublicRead moreGermany doesn't expect winter gas shortage despite low storage levels — ministryThe Ministry for Economic Affairs believes that the primary responsibility lies with the private sectorRead moreRussia’s Garpiya is sole exported loitering munition with 1,000 km range — RosoboronexportThe UAV can carry a warhead weighing over 50 kgRead moreRussian envoy sees possibility of more candidates seeking top UN postThey may emerge, if the current candidates fail to secure the required supportRead moreWest provided only quarter of required funds to Kiev — lawmakerKiev admits that the country has completely exhausted its own resources, and it is getting harder and harder for it to secure the required funds every timeRead moreEU attempts to interfere into Georgia’s affairs to do no good — Russia’s UN envoyAttempts by the EU to interfere in the country’s domestic political situation, as well as to drag Tbilisi into NATO, will not lead to anything good," Vasily Nebenzya saidRead moreHormuz risks remain even if Iran-Oman talks yield positive results, Russian diplomat saysThe current situation in the Persian Gulf can hardly be called a "pause", given quite a regular exchange of strikes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov notedRead moreRussia calls on Japan to stop revising history of World War II — MFAMaria Zakharova highlighted that instead of openly acknowledging its role in initiating aggression across Asia and the Pacific, Japan appears to be increasingly engaged in whitewashing its wartime crimesRead moreRussian diplomat points to increasing terror against Serbians in KosovoMaria Zakharova described the developments as all the more outrageous because local self-government bodies in Pristina that claim the status of legitimate authorities are implicated in this terrorRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup North destroys 443 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past dayThe battlegroup's units eliminated up to 200 enemy personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle and three armored combat vehicles over the past 24 hoursRead moreBrazil to build ties with Russia without regard for US threats — Lula da Silva’s allyThe politician noted that Washington is currently "trying to squeeze Russia or China out of Latin America"Read moreFinnish Foreign Ministry summons Russian envoy over Il-20 alleged border violationThe ministry requested an explanation regarding a suspected violation of airspaceRead moreGold futures top $4,600 per troy ounce, first time since May 29By 4:45 a.m. the growth slowed down to $4,583.5 per troy ounceRead moreZelensky complains about lack of funds to continue warVladimir Zelensky also expects Khmara to audit all agreements with Western partners and take a "more humane approach" to the organizational issues in the armyRead moreRussian troops liberate 11 communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brassRussian troops delivered one massive and nine combined strikes by precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, logistics centers and cruise missile launch sites over the weekRead moreItalian defense contractor opens company in Ukraine — news outletThe CEO of the state-owned Italian defense giant Leonardo confirmed that the group will test its new air defense system, dubbed the Michelangelo Dome, in UkraineRead moreUS wants its economy to grow faster than state debt — VanceUS Vice President JD Vance did not disclose details of the planRead moreBelarus moves to close its embassy in Finland early next monthThe decision comes into effect, starting from September 1, 2026Read moreIN BRIEF: Kremlin on Putin’s work schedule, Polish PM’s justification of terrorist attacksRussian President Vladimir Putin is to hold an in-person operational meeting of the Russian Security CouncilRead moreRussia develops first combat robot that disarms mines with laserThe system is completely safe for bomb disposal expertsRead moreConflict in Ukraine requires prompt measures — candidate for UN secretary-generalYvonne A-Baki believes that the Ukrainian crisis can be resolved through a solution, which both parties will find acceptableRead moreCandidate for UN secretary·general declares neutrality in conflict in UkraineYvonne A-Baki opined that for a final settlement, both sides need to make certain concessionsRead moreNew mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomatMaria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to surviveRead moreUkraine imposes sanctions on authors of Russian comedy cartoon 'Masha and the Bear'An executive order, published on Vladimir Zelensky’s website, imposes sanctions on the Animaccord animation studio, the cartoon’s producer Dmitry Loveyko and animator Oleg KuzovkovRead moreKiev to return to talks with Russia on terms worse than those in 2022 — magazineAccording to The American Conservative, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing a shortage of manpower, and their stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles "is at, or approaching, zero"Read moreKiev troops shell DPR 33 times in past day, three woundedSix civil infrastructure sites were damaged, as well as three residential buildings and a number of cars and trucksRead moreFSB detains Ukrainian intel agent, foils terror plot near MoscowThe perpetrator sought to launch a drone from a Moscow railway station to identify railcars carrying petroleum productsRead moreKiev plots smaller drone attacks amid failure to target Moscow with long-range UAVs — FSBThe Russian Federal Security Service stated that fraudulent call centers controlled by Kiev present their operators as employees of Russia’s Central Bank, Rosfinmonitoring, and the FSBRead moreUS company Powerus to deliver anti-drone systems to Middle East — BloombergThe US company will provide its customer with detection and tracking equipmentRead moreIN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in KievRussian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga dronesRead moreUN chief calls for halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, including in RussiaSpokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Antonio Guterres remains deeply concerned by the continued escalation of the Ukrainian conflictRead morePlane makes emergency landing in Sakhalin after engine catches fireThere were seven people on boardRead moreUkraine faces extremely negative situation on agricultural marketExperts noted that the difference between 2022 and the current situation lies in pricesRead moreInternational organizations become accomplices in Kiev’s crimes against media — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the reaction of international organizations to the murder of war correspondent Darya Dugina in 2022 was particularly tellingRead moreRussian aircraft hit Ukrainian army’s deployment sites by FAB-500 bombs in Kharkov areaLive-recording images verified the successful destruction of all the designated targetsRead moreLiberation of Matyashevo opens way for Russian forces’ advance in Dobropolye areaThe settlement was liberated by Pskov Guards Airborne Forces formationRead moreUN secretary-general candidate A-Baki proposes agreeing that Ukraine abstains from NATOYvonne A-Baki believes that Russia and Ukraine should sit together in the United Nations and talkRead moreFuel imports to Russia: statements by Novak and overview of market situationRussian authorities expect a number of oil refineries to complete maintenance work soon, leading to a significant improvement in the fuel market situationRead moreUkrainians' right to protection in EU depends on their usefulness on frontline — senatorAlexander Voloshin remarked that Kiev has long promoted Europe as a sanctuary where human rights are a fundamental priorityRead moreRussia calls on international organizations to prevent catastrophe in Kosovo — MFAMoscow insists that the UN mission in Kosovo adopt a responsible approach in fulfilling its mandateRead moreUkrainian troops shot at Kharkov Region residents attempting to evacuate — administrationAccording to Yevgeny Lisnyak, people had to drink rainwater and eat what they had stockpiled before the front line closed in until Russian soldiers arrivedRead moreRussia’s Lokomotiv FC confirms transfer of its midfielder Batrakov to GalatasarayThe contract with the Russian midfielder is for five yearsRead moreFAZ journalist Martens’ profile appears on Russian Interior Ministry’s wanted listReason for being wanted is a Criminal Code articleRead moreKiev building up forces to fight for Dobropolye in Donetsk region — Russian combatantAccording to the serviceman, the Russian troops are operating in a coordinated manner, eliminating enemy forces attempting to redeploy to better positionsRead morePress review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over SyriaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20thRead moreProduction of fuel for Ukrainian missiles in Denmark delayed until 2027Euractiv noted that Danish authorities had "cleared more than 20 bureaucratic hurdles for the construction of the plant," but this did not helpRead moreSome US allies in Mideast took 'semi-neutral' stance on IranThe Iranian authorities said on many occasions that Tehran had not attacked any country in the region, targeting only US military basesRead moreAttempts to cut Russia off from world permanent tactic of Western policy — adviserAnton Kobyakov noted that Russia had never closed itself off from the world throughout its historyRead moreTougher US sanctions against Iran constitute economic terrorism — MFAAccording to the statement, Washington's new restrictions against Tehran represent "a continuation of a failed US policy, the repetition of which will lead only to another failure"Read moreZelensky shouted demanding dismissal of official who failed to pay bail for YermakA court session to choose a preventive measure for Makim Mikitas will continue on FridayRead moreRussia starts serial production of Garpiya-A1 drone — RosoboronexportThe Garpiya-A1 (E) is a loitering munition with a range of up to 1,000 kmRead moreSeveral hundred Ukrainian soldiers desert during training in Germany — newspaperUnder Ukrainian law, these individuals could face up to 12 years in prison if they return homeRead moreBy attacking ships, Kiev risks to spoil relations with partners — Kherson governorVladimir Saldo stressed that Ukraine is destroying its own reputation among international partnersRead moreUkrainian attack on Crimea kills two people, injures four others — regional headSergey Aksyonov expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and stated that the authorities would provide all the necessary assistanceRead more‘Astonishing’ if Polish PM truly supports terrorist sabotage — KremlinDonald Tusk earlier stated that Germany should not prosecute those responsible for sabotaging the Nord Stream pipelinesRead moreRussia expects new UN chief to show courage in settling conflicts — envoyVasily Nebenzy noted that the UN can be the platform for Ukraine crisis resolutionRead moreEU fails as mediator in Kosovo and Metohija settlement — MFAMaria Zakharova noted that the situation in the region indicated an escalation of calculated and systematic terror against the local Serb populationRead moreFACTBOX: What to know of Omsk oil refinery intel sharing, foiled terrorist attack in LPROfficers detained two men in the Lugansk People’s Republic, who helped the Security Service of Ukraine plan a terrorist attack against the republic’s interior ministerRead moreRussia only country in world with expertise across entire nuclear energy sector — PutinThese competitive advantages enable the country to hold a leading position in the market for the construction of nuclear power plants abroad, the Russian leader stressedRead moreRussia open to dialogue with US, refuses to sacrifice its principled positions — diplomatRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the importance whether "Washington can influence the decisions of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors"Read moreUS establishes corridor in Strait of Hormuz for covertly transporting oil — news outletAccording to sources cited by Axios, between 15 and 20 tankers pass through the strait’s southern channel along the coast of Oman every day, exporting roughly half of the pre-war level of oil from the Middle EastRead moreLithuania seeking to take Russians hostage by tightening transit from KaliningradChairman of the region’s Legislative Assembly Andrey Kropotkin noted that such moves were driven by a political agenda of further pressure on RussiaRead moreUkraine’s ex-defense minister urges to mobilize womenAlexey Reznikov noted that women can enter military service not just as medical workersRead moreCroatian court rules to place in custody Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotageGermany is seeking his extraditionRead moreBattlegroup North UAVs destroy two US armored vehicles near KharkovThe FPV drone crews eliminated two US-made Humvee armored vehicles and one Ukrainian Kozak armored fighting vehicleRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreUS shows weakness by turning to its allies on Iran issue — Iranian diplomatSaeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh said that Donald Trump "uses every means and every opportunity to isolate Iran and put pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran in an attempt to compensate for its military defeat"Read moreCourt finds farmer who shot at drone caused less harm than he prevented — documentsEarlier, a source in the judicial system said the Volgograd Regional Court had terminated the proceedings in the case of 66‑year‑old Nikolay MukhinRead moreDeaths of ‘Iranian leaders’ hindering deal with US — TrumpThe US leader emphasized that Washington was successfully achieving its goals in the conflict with IranRead morePolish prime minister defends Nord Stream sabotage — TVDonald Tusk opined that those who built the pipeline should be held accountable, not those who destroyed itRead moreKremlin reacts to 'fishing in troubled waters' in Ukraine, potential Wikoff, Kushner visitDmitry Peskov stressed that Russia highly values the efforts of all countries that sincerely seek to contribute to settling the Ukraine conflictRead moreRussia has no need for mobilization — envoy to UNVasily Nebenzya emphasized that mobilization is not planned and expectedRead moreNorthern Fleet ships finish preparations for long-range Arctic deploymentThe Fleet press service specified that naval Arctic deployments are aimed "at ensuring the safety of Russia’s maritime navigation and maritime economic activities in the Arctic"Read moreUkraine imposes sanctions against Rusal group of companiesKiev also imposed sanctions on several dozens of Russian citizens, including those who, as Ukraine claims, are working in the Russian defense industryRead moreVucic thanks Russia for providing Serbia with aircraft for fighting forest firesSerbia is currently facing wildfires, prompting local authorities to turn to Moscow for assistanceRead moreRussia open to dialogue on stabilizing strategic stability — MFARussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov recalled that, had Washington not rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative for the parties to preserve the New START legacy through voluntary self-restraints, the current situation could have been avoidedRead morePutin discusses national security in Arctic with Russian Security CouncilThis is the third consecutive in-person meeting of the Russian Security Council since the beginning of AugustRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup South confidently advancing after liberating Nikolaipolye in DPRThe liberation of the settlement became possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of reconnaissance units, artillery crews, and UAV operators from the unmanned systems forcesRead moreUS has no idea of how long its economic pressure on Iran will take — VanceEarlier, US President Donald Trump announced the beginning of the "most crushing economic operation" against IranRead moreBattlegroup North artillery eliminates 71 Ukrainian troops, 34 UAV control posts overnightArtillery crews of the Battlegroup North carried out over 200 fire missions last nightRead moreTransit through Strait of Hormuz falls to low amid risks to vessels — ReutersAccording to the analysts, four vessels entered the strait and three exited itRead morePlane with eight people on board crashes in Alaska — Associated PressThe fate of those on board is currently unknownRead moreMoscow to respond to any hostile actions by Helsinki — MFAMaria Zakharova noted that Finland, starting in 2022, "has become one of the most ardent sponsors of the Kiev regime"Read moreSeveral injured in attack at school in Sweden — TVPolice and emergency services were called to the sceneRead moreRussian Il-76 aircraft drops ten loads of water on active fire sites in Serbia — ministryThe Emergencies Ministry said that Russian rescue teams are working closely with Serbian ground services and receiving organizational support from the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian CenterRead moreIsrael could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officerApty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggleRead morePress review: US tightens Iran pressure while Russia expands nuclear power projects abroadTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 21stRead morePerm industrial facility comes under attack: 325 drones target Russian regionsOn-duty air defense systems intercepted Ukrainian UAVs over 16 Russian regionsRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian MFA statements on FAZ reporter’s provocation, UN criticismThe Foreign Ministry calls on the citizens living abroad to be vigilant and not to give in to provocations ahead of the State Duma electionsRead moreRussian strike brings Ukrainian industrial site in Brovary near Kiev offline — top brassThe facility was struck by Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade VaryagRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup West downs 54 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs, 91 hexacopters over past dayThe battlegroup's units eliminated over 210 Ukrainian military personnel, two Kozak armored fighting vehicles and a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzerRead moreGovernment submits space cooperation agreement with Myanmar to State Duma for ratificationAs noted in the explanatory note, the ratification will contribute to expanding cooperation between the two countries in such areas as satellite navigation, space communications, satellite TV and radio broadcastingRead moreUkrainian forces lose 76 fixed-wing UAVs in Russia’s Battlegroup South responsibility areaThe battlegroup's units destroyed two Stryker armored personnel carriers, seven field artillery weapons and 39 ground robotic systems over the past 24 hoursRead moreIran was not the one to trigger escalation in Middle East — Russia’s UN envoyVasily Nebenzya said that the US should be the one to blame for the latest escalation in Middle EastRead moreTrump orders to increase number of space launches five-fold by 2030The US leader gave instructions to explore commercial robotic access to the surface of MarsRead moreGermany, UK, France, Italy call on Israel to withdraw its E1 settlement project plansThe international community has long opposed this settlement expansion, and has voiced their grave concerns privately and publicly, the joint statement saidRead moreRussia ready to cooperate with everyone who cares about South Caucasus — envoy to UNVasily Nebenzya added that Russia is guided by the interests of preserving and strengthening security in the regionRead moreEight detained for attempting to launch drone attack on strategic plant near Moscow — FSBOne of the accomplices put up armed resistance during the arrest and was neutralizedRead moreUS allies unsure of Washington’s ability to defend them if necessary — newspaperThe newaspaper noted that military operation against Iran had depleted US arsenals and "laid bare the limits of American hard power"Read more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

D-Day for Iran, Meta on trial, Russia takes on the UK: RT stories that shaped the week

• What happened: The U.S. and Iran's 60-day negotiation window for a ceasefire expired, with President Trump declaring the Strait of Hormuz as "new U....

Russia

Russian volleyball players defeat Iranian team in friendly match

• What happened: The Russian men's national volleyball team defeated the Iranian team 3-1 in a friendly match held in Ufa. • Why it matters: This victory...

Russia

Il-114-300 aircraft has undergone heat testing in Uzbekistan

• What happened: The Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft successfully completed heat testing in Uzbekistan, demonstrating its resilience against high tempera...

Russia

Ten African countries step up border controls due to Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo

• What happened: Ten African countries have enhanced border health controls in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, i...

Russia

No need for new constitutional amendments now — presidential envoy

• What happened: Russian presidential envoy Garry Minkh stated that there is no current need for amendments to the Russian Constitution, emphasizing that the 20...

Russia

Moscow Is Touting North Korea as a New Tourism Hotspot. Few Russians Are Making the Trip.

• What happened: Russian officials are promoting North Korea as a new tourism destination, highlighting its beach resorts and cultural experiences, but actual v...