Russian Gas Stations Begin Easing Purchase Limits as Officials Say Fuel Market Shows Signs of ‘Stabilization’

July 28, 2026 Arthur Novosiltsev / Moskva News Agency Major gas station chains in some Russian regions have begun rolling back gasoline purchase limits, the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia reported Tuesday, with the easing of rationing measures concentrated in major urban centers like Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as parts of southern Russia. Gazprom lifted all purchase restrictions across its gas stations in the Krasnodar, Rostov, Volgograd, Stavropol and Astrakhan regions, as well as along the M-4 highway connecting Moscow to the southern Black Sea coast. However, the company continues to enforce purchase limits ranging from 30 to 50 liters (8-13 gallons) for gasoline and 60 to 100 liters (16-26 gallons) for diesel in regions including Vladimir, Voronezh, Kaluga, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Oryol and Tula. Rosneft and its subsidiary Bashneft raised their gasoline limit from 30 to 50 liters per vehicle, according to Izvestia. Meanwhile, Lukoil and its subsidiary Teboil lifted all fuel purchase limits in Moscow, St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region. A Lukoil customer service representative told Izvestia that restrictions and odd-even rationing systems remain in effect in certain regions depending on local government directives and station-level inventory. At Gazprom Neft stations in Moscow, a 30-liter cap remains in place for fuel purchased via its mobile app, though the limit is not enforced for in-person purchases. To prevent hoarding, filling up fuel canisters remains banned at gas stations operated by Gazprom, Rosneft, Lukoil and Tatneft, according to Izvestia. Dozens of Russian regions have faced fuel shortages this summer after months of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries and storage hubs. Industry analysts have warned that supplies will remain tight across much of the country until peak summer travel demand subsides in the fall. The gradual easing of fuel rationing measures comes after Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said last week that the domestic market was showing signs of “partial stabilization.” Over the weekend, Novak said Russia would extend its ban on gasoline exports through the end of 2026. On Monday, he said several oil refineries had returned to service after undergoing repairs. However, he cautioned that some regions, especially those in Siberia, still face fuel shortages. The average price of gasoline in Russia has climbed 18.3% since the start of the year, with a single-week increase pushing the national average to 77.31 rubles per liter ($3.72 per gallon) as of July 20. Read more about: Gasoline Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. 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