Russian oil product exports have dropped to their lowest levels since the start of the Ukraine war, as Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries disrupt output and Russia prioritizes domestic fuel needs. In early September, refined product exports averaged just 1.94 million barrels per day, a steep decline of 300,000 barrels per day compared to previous years, according to Bloomberg. Diesel and gasoil exports fell 12%, and naphtha shipments plunged 30% to their lowest level in 2025. Meanwhile, gasoline exports halted entirely, and jet fuel flows hit a one-year low. Although fuel oil exports rose slightly, overall shipments are sharply down, reflecting both military pressure and seasonal maintenance. They write:
Russian oil product exports dropped to a wartime low after escalating Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries reduced output and producers prioritized the home market. […]
Total refined-product flows dropped to 1.94 million barrels a day in the first 15 days of the month. At that pace, September is poised for the lowest average since at least the start of the war on Ukraine in early 2022, an indication of Kyiv’s drone attacks having a real impact on Russia’s oil industry. […]
While no shipments of gasoline and blending components were observed for the month, jet fuel flows were the lowest in a year, at less than 10,000 barrels a day.
Fuel shipments do typically decline in autumn during seasonal refinery maintenance, when output falls and plants switch to winter-grade products, keeping more winter-spec fuel at home and leaving less for export.
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