Russia has allowed some oil refineries to produce fuel with lower environmental standards for the domestic market as repeated Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure disrupt supplies, according to a report by the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
The move comes as drone strikes on Russian refineries have sharply increased since the beginning of 2026, leading to partial or complete shutdowns of oil processing facilities and reducing the production of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
According to Kommersant, Russian authorities decided last autumn to relax environmental requirements for certain refineries to help avert potential fuel shortages. The measure was reportedly extended on 1 May.
Under the temporary rules, gasoline sold domestically can contain up to 150 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur, around 15 times the maximum level permitted in Europe, China and India.
The new standards also allow a higher concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds associated with environmental and health risks.
Reuters said it could not independently locate official documents detailing the regulatory changes.
Industry sources told the news agency that only a limited number of refineries have so far produced fuel under the relaxed specifications.
Despite the measures, reports of fuel supply disruptions have emerged in around a dozen Russian regions, according to information compiled by Reuters from media and social media reports.
Wholesale prices have also surged. Exchange-traded lots of AI-95 gasoline and diesel on the St Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange rose by 10% during the first half of June, and traders say prices remain unstable.
On Monday, officials in the Udmurt Republic, east of Moscow, announced temporary restrictions on the sale of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline at service stations operated by Tatneft.
Meanwhile, long queues formed at petrol stations in the city of Sevastopol as motorists waited to refuel.
One driver, identified only as Alyona, expressed little confidence that the situation would improve soon.
"How can it be solved, how?" she said. "Only if the special military operation ends."
The latest disruptions highlight the growing pressure on Russia's energy sector as Ukrainian drone attacks increasingly target refineries and fuel infrastructure.
The strikes have complicated domestic fuel supplies and raised concerns about further shortages, forcing authorities to consider emergency measures that could come at the expense of environmental standards and fuel quality.
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