Business · Energy & Commodities · 10 hrs ago
Diesel availability falls at Saint Petersburg fuel stations
Diesel availability has fallen sharply at Saint Petersburg fuel stations, with monitoring figures ranging from 30% to below 40%.
The figures differ between monitoring services, and one analyst cautions that a missing availability mark does not necessarily mean a station has run out.
The shortage has brought limits and long queues: private stations in Leningrad Region have reportedly capped sales at 30 to 50 litres per vehicle, while queues in the city have lasted about 40 minutes.
A possible cause is disrupted fuel logistics after Russian diesel was hurriedly shipped from the Baltic port of Primorsk for a proposed deal with the United States.
Russia had agreed to offer more than 2 million tonnes for US and world markets, but US buyers have so far been hard to find because companies fear legal consequences under sanctions.
Diesel shortages have also been reported in other Russian regions, including Sverdlovsk and Tambov.
The fuel may instead be sent to Brazil, analysts have suggested, but no next step is confirmed.
Diesel availability at Saint Petersburg fuel stations fell sharply in late October and early November, according to monitoring data cited by Russian outlets.
One report said diesel was confirmed at only 30% of stations on November 2; another said it was available at fewer than 40%.
The reported decline came as Russia was preparing to supply more than 2 million tonnes of fuel to the US and world markets under a deal announced by Donald Trump.
An analyst cited in one report suggested the export effort may have caused logistical problems, while another cited seasonal changes in diesel grades as a possible explanation.
Reports also described fuel limits at private stations in Leningrad Region and long queues in Saint Petersburg.
- Who
- Drivers in Saint Petersburg and nearby areas; local fuel stations are reporting reduced diesel availability.
- What
- Diesel availability at Saint Petersburg stations fell substantially, with reports placing confirmed availability at 30% or below 40%.
- When
- The decline was reported on November 2, 2026, after availability had fallen over the preceding week or two.
- Where
- Saint Petersburg, with reported limits at private stations in Leningrad Region.
- Why
- Possible reasons cited include logistical problems linked to Russian fuel exports and a seasonal switch to winter diesel grades; the cause is not established.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Donald Trump announced a deal under which Russia agreed to supply fuel to US and world markets.
Diesel was available at about 70% of Saint Petersburg stations, according to data cited by The Moscow Times.
The Tambov region governor reported disruptions to diesel supplies.
Reports said confirmed diesel availability in Saint Petersburg had fallen to 30% or below 40%.
- Saint Petersburg diesel availability
- 30% of stations, according to Info24
- Alternative availability estimate
- Fewer than 40% of stations, according to The Moscow Times
- Reported late-October availability
- About 70% of stations
- Fuel deal announced
- October 9
- Reported export volumes
- More than 300,000 tonnes in October, 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes afterward
3 sources
What people are saying
the deal is very good
mutually beneficial
Not stated
Russia produces enough diesel overall
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Interesting: There are new shortages of diesel at Russian gas stations in St. Petersburg. Overall, Russia produces enough diesel (gasoline supply is the problem). It seems that the exports to the US were rushed (from Primorsk close to St. Pete) and there issues with logistics.