For the first time in more than a year, Russian drivers are seeing a modest but significant relief at the gas pump. According to the Federal Statistics Service, average retail gasoline prices across Russia slipped 0.2% to 65.34 rubles (about $0.80) per liter between November 6 and November 10, 2025, compared to the previous reporting period from October 28 to November 5. This marks the first drop in gasoline prices since March 2024, breaking a long stretch of steady increases that had left many consumers feeling squeezed.
The price dip, though slight, comes as a welcome change after months of surging costs driven by a combination of factors—most notably, a sharp escalation in Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian oil refineries. As reported by Bloomberg, these strikes have become far more frequent in recent months, with Ukrainian drones hitting Russian refineries nearly 40 times since the start of August. That’s almost double the 21 attacks recorded between January and July of this year, and it exceeds the total number of such strikes for all of 2024.
It’s not just the frequency of the attacks that’s been notable; it’s their impact. The resulting damage has led to refinery outages and, in turn, gasoline shortages in several Russian regions. The situation became so acute that the Russian government was forced to step in, imposing a nationwide ban on gasoline exports until the end of 2025 and introducing new restrictions on diesel exports. These emergency measures, aimed at stabilizing the domestic market, appear to be having an effect—at least for now.
Six out of Russia’s eight federal districts saw gasoline prices fall during the most recent reporting period. These districts stretch from the Black Sea and Volga regions to the Urals and deep into Siberia. The remaining two districts weren’t quite as lucky: they continued to experience price increases, but at a slower pace than before. This broad-based easing suggests that the government’s interventions, combined with other factors, are starting to bear fruit.
So what’s behind this sudden, if modest, reversal in gasoline prices? Part of the answer lies in the season. Demand for motor fuel typically drops as colder weather sets in, and this year is no exception. But there’s more to the story. According to Bloomberg, several Russian fuel producers have recently completed scheduled maintenance or managed to repair damage inflicted by drone attacks, allowing refinery operations to partially recover. This uptick in refinery runs has helped replenish supplies and ease the pressure on prices—at least temporarily.
Still, the situation remains fragile. The Russian Energy Ministry, in a report published by the state-run Tass news agency on November 12, was quick to reassure the public: "The demand for motor fuel in the domestic market is fully met by supply. The situation on the market is stable, which is facilitated, among other things, by measures previously taken by the Russian government." That’s a confident statement, but it’s clear that officials are keeping a close eye on developments.
Indeed, the International Energy Agency (IEA) sounded a note of caution in its monthly report released on November 13. The agency projects that Russia’s crude oil throughput will average just 4.9 million barrels per day in the first half of 2026. That’s well below the historical average of 5.3 to 5.5 million barrels per day for the January-to-June period, based on industry data compiled by Bloomberg. The IEA’s outlook reflects the ongoing risk posed by continued Ukrainian drone attacks, which have left Russia’s refinery sector operating below its usual capacity and struggling to keep up with even reduced seasonal demand.
For ordinary Russians, the recent price drop is more than just a number—it’s a glimmer of hope after months of hardship. Gasoline is a staple of daily life, and for many, the relentless rise in prices had become a source of mounting frustration. The fact that prices have finally begun to ease, however slightly, is a sign that government interventions and industry efforts to repair and restore refinery operations are having an effect. Yet, as recent history has shown, the situation can change quickly.
To understand how we got here, it’s worth looking back over the past year. Since the start of 2025, Ukraine has intensified its campaign to disrupt Russia’s energy sector, with drone attacks on refineries becoming more frequent and more damaging. The aim, as outlined by Ukrainian officials in public statements, has been to curtail Russia’s energy revenues and weaken its ability to fund the ongoing war, which Moscow launched in 2022. The Russian government, for its part, has shown little interest in negotiating an end to the conflict, and the tit-for-tat escalation has only added to the volatility in energy markets.
The impact of these attacks has been felt far beyond the oil industry. With refinery outages leading to gasoline shortages, some regions have experienced long lines at the pump and rising frustration among drivers. The government’s decision to ban exports was designed to prioritize domestic needs, but it also signaled just how serious the situation had become. By restricting the flow of gasoline and diesel to foreign markets, officials hoped to ensure that Russian consumers wouldn’t bear the brunt of the shortages.
As the government’s interventions took hold, there were signs of stabilization. The Energy Ministry’s assertion that "the demand for motor fuel in the domestic market is fully met by supply" suggests that, for the moment, the worst may be over. But with Ukrainian drone attacks showing no signs of abating, and with refinery output still below seasonal norms, the outlook remains uncertain.
Looking ahead, much will depend on the ability of Russian refineries to withstand further attacks and maintain steady operations. The IEA’s projection of lower crude throughput underscores the challenges facing the industry. Even as prices at the pump have begun to ease, the underlying dynamics—ongoing conflict, infrastructure vulnerability, and government intervention—mean that volatility could return at any moment.
For now, Russian drivers can take some solace in the fact that gasoline prices have finally fallen, if only by a small margin. Whether this marks the beginning of a longer-term trend or just a temporary reprieve remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the interplay between war, energy policy, and everyday life in Russia is as complex and unpredictable as ever.
As the winter months approach and the conflict grinds on, both officials and consumers will be watching closely to see whether the recent stabilization holds—or whether new shocks are lurking just around the corner.
