Why Russia's fuel export ban matters for Uzbekistan
Ukrainian strikes cut Russian petroleum output by more than 30%; Russia banned gasoline and diesel exports through January 31, 2027. Uzbekistan sources about half of its imported petrol from Russia.
Ukraine's sustained strikes on Russian oil refineries have badly damaged Russia's fuel system. By Bloomberg's estimate, the attacks had cut Russia's petroleum product output by more than 30% by late August; in August alone, 21 refineries were hit.
Russia's response
To stabilize its domestic market, Russia extended its ban on gasoline and diesel exports through January 31, 2027. U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Ukraine's strikes for rising diesel prices and urged Kyiv to stop them; U.S. diesel had hit a record $6.53 per gallon a week earlier, and gasoline was up more than 40% over the year.
What it means for Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan sources about 50% of its imported petrol from Russia and buys more than 500,000 tons of gasoline a year. After Russia's April 2026 restrictions, retail gasoline prices across Central Asia rose 15–25% year on year, depending on the country.
Russia formally keeps exemptions for Central Asian states through intergovernmental deals, but in practice it has no surplus fuel to spare. Wary of overreliance on Moscow, Uzbekistan is increasing imports from Central Asia's two largest exporters, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
