Russian refineries have had their permits for producing low-quality fuel for the domestic market extended.
To prevent a widespread fuel shortage in the country, the Russian government allowed major oil refineries to sell outdated Euro-3 gasoline and diesel fuel on the domestic market under the guise of the Euro-5 emission standard. According to the business publication Kommersant, this relaxation was in effect from the fall of 2025 until early May of this year, and was then officially extended by the authorities amid a worsening fuel shortage.
Sulfur instead of ecology: what concessions have factories received?
The main technological relaxation for Russian oil refiners concerns the maximum sulfur content in fuel. In the "new" surrogate gasoline, its concentration can now legally reach 150 mg per kilogram, and in diesel fuel, up to 350 mg per kilogram. Meanwhile, the strict environmental regulations for the actual Euro 5 standard allow no more than 10 mg of sulfur per kilogram of fuel.
Exporting such low-quality fuel to neighboring countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is strictly prohibited by government decree. Due to current international barriers, the entire volume of low-quality fuel will go directly to gas stations within Russia, where it will be used by ordinary Russian car owners.
Accelerated engine wear: what are the risks of Euro 3 for modern cars?
Industry experts warn of the dire technical consequences of the forced fuel rollback for the country's vehicle fleet. Managing Partner NEFT Research Sergei Frolov notes that significantly increased sulfur content in petroleum products has an extremely negative impact on modern vehicles, which are designed to meet stringent standards and have sensitive emissions control systems, as well as complex on-board electronics.
When fuel with high sulfur levels burns, aggressive chemical compounds are formed in the system. These substances can dramatically accelerate wear on internal combustion engine components and the entire vehicle exhaust system, leading to costly breakdowns.
Fuel crisis amid regular drone attacks on oil refineries
The decision to extend the production of low-grade fuel coincided with a severe crisis in the retail sector. In June 2026, Russian regions faced widespread fuel shortages at gas stations. The day before, strict limits on fuel purchases—up to 20 liters of gasoline per customer—were forced to be introduced at Tatneft gas stations in Tatarstan, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.
Russians are openly noting on social media that these restrictions and disruptions coincided with a successful drone attack on an oil refinery. Serious shortages of popular gasoline grades have already been officially recorded in Kuban (Krasnodar Krai), in regions of Central Russia, and in industrial regions of Siberia.
