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The ban is necessary to “ensure stability in the domestic fuel market,” according to the official statement.
Ukraine is conducting a massive campaign aimed at crippling the Russian economy by targeting oil and gas revenues.
According to Bloomberg, May saw the highest monthly total of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy sites, with at least 30 strikes confirmed.
And Ukraine’s strategy is working, as Russia is now forced to impose a first-of-its-kind ban on fuel exports.
A historic freeze
The Moscow Times reports that the Russian government officially introduced a six-month ban on exporting jet fuel, which, according to the official statement, is necessary to “ensure stability in the domestic fuel market.”
This dramatic move comes after months of heavy pressure on Russia’s energy sector. Ukrainian forces have targeted oil refineries across the country, aiming to drain the Kremlin’s massive war chest.
According to the RBC news outlet, this is the first time Moscow has ever placed an embargo on its own aviation fuel. The restriction will last until November 30, though nations with active special trade agreements will still receive their shipments.
Highest monthly total of strikes
The Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian energy refining hit a new record in May, as at least 30 strikes were confirmed.
The strategy is focused on causing deep, lasting economic pain. Of those drone attacks, 16 hit refineries, pounding eight of the country’s ten largest refining facilities.
Kyiv is hitting the same places over and over to stop workers from making quick fixes. For instance, the Yanos facility was struck three times in May, while two Lukoil plants each took two hits.
Recently, another strike forced the Volgograd refinery to halt operations completely, and the Saratov refinery suffered fresh damage after being hit for a second time.
According to Bloomberg, analytics company OilX estimated that Russian refining dropped to 4.58 million barrels per day in May.
That is a drop of 700,000 barrels from last year, pushing production down to levels not seen since October 2009.
Sources: The Moscow Times, RBC, Reuters, Bloomberg
