The Russian government announced on July 30 the extension of the bans on exporting gasoline and diesel until January 31, 2027, a decision that comes into effect this Sunday and further limits Moscow's ability to allocate additional fuel to Cuba, which is experiencing one of the worst energy crises in its history.
According to DW, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Novak had announced the measure on July 25 with these words:
"We decided in a meeting to extend the ban on exporting gasoline for both producers and non-producers. In other words, it will be extended until the end of the year."
However, the official statement from the Russian government was more restrictive: both prohibitions remain in effect until January 2027.
The war in Ukraine, behind the shortage
The direct cause of the measure is the fuel crisis that Russia is facing as a result of Ukrainian attacks on its refineries.
Between January and July 2026, Ukraine attacked 24 of the 34 major Russian refineries, reducing production to its lowest level in 21 years: around 3.8 million barrels per day, according to the consultancy Kpler.
In early July, gasoline production had fallen to 65% of the average summer consumption, with rationing at gas stations in almost all 83 regions of the country, according to a report by CNN en Español.
Novak acknowledged that some areas continue to face supply issues, especially in regions of Siberia, and that the ban on diesel will be lifted "as the market recovers."
To alleviate the internal shortage, Russia has even resorted to imports.
According to Reuters in mid-July, it imported around 30,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline from the port of Tangier in Morocco to the Arctic port of Murmansk, with Lukoil as the supplier.
It also received shipments from India and by rail from Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Exceptions that leave a window open
The prohibition is not absolute: starting from September 1, 2026, exports of diesel, marine fuels, and gas oils made directly by producers will be exempt.
Additionally, exemptions for shipments under intergovernmental agreements and for humanitarian aid are maintained, which theoretically leaves the door open for occasional shipments to Cuba.
The Russian government has also implemented temporary measures until November 1, 2026 to ensure fuel supply to farmers during the harvest season.
A new blow for Cuba
The decision comes at the worst possible time for the island, which needs between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil daily but only produces about 40,000, relying on imports to cover the remaining two thirds.
The crisis worsened in a cascade effect from the end of 2025: the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, cut Venezuelan oil supply by between 25,000 and 35,000 barrels per day.
Mexico suspended its deliveries due to debts exceeding 1.5 billion dollars.
In March-April, Russia sent the tanker Anatoly Kolodkin with about 100,000 tons of crude oil, enough for just seven to ten days of consumption.
The Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, admitted that Cuba needs eight fuel ships a month to meet its basic needs, and that the country distributes only 800 tons of diesel daily, half of the 1,600 necessary for normal operations.
The Russian ambassador in Cuba, Víktor Koronelli, stated in May that Moscow would continue to send oil to the island but urged other allied countries to join the effort.
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