I’ve been watching the news lately and kept wondering: how does a fuel export ban in Russia ripple all the way here in Australia? The latest moves by Moscow are making waves, and yes — they matter to us too.
What’s the Russia Fuel Export Ban (2025 Edition)?
In September 2025, Russia officially extended its ban on gasoline (petrol) exports through the end of the year — and introduced a partial diesel export ban applying to non‑producers (resellers) as well.
The gasoline ban now covers both producers and traders, though exemptions remain for intergovernmental agreements.
The diesel ban is more limited: it targets parties that don’t produce fuel themselves (i.e. resellers) while leaving producers exempt.
Part of Russia’s reasoning: supply issues in some regions, damage to refineries from Ukrainian drone strikes, and the need to prioritise internal markets.
So basically, Russia is prioritizing domestic fuel needs by restricting exports more severely than before.
Why Did Russia Take This Step?
Understanding this requires some context. These are key drivers:
Refinery damage & disruptions: Ukraine has been targeting Russia’s oil infrastructure — several refineries have had to shut operations or reduce throughput, squeezing supply.
Domestic shortages: Some Russian regions already face fuel tightness, particularly for certain grades of petrol.
Price stability: By limiting exports, Russia hopes to ease internal price pressures and ensure citizens and essential services have access.
War and sanctions pressure: The ongoing war and international sanctions make Russia more vulnerable; restricting exports is a kind of buffer to protect internal markets.
How This Ban Is Rippling Through Global Fuel Markets
Because oil and fuel are traded globally, big shifts in supply from a major exporter like Russia send shockwaves. Here’s what’s happening:
Price surges: Global oil and fuel prices are already seeing the steepest weekly gains in months.
Squeezed supply: With Russia pulling back, alternative exporters (Middle East, U.S., etc.) are under pressure to fill gaps.
Shifting trade routes & buyers: Countries dependent on Russian fuel are scrambling to rework supply chains.
Knock-on effects: When fuel costs more, transportation, agriculture, shipping — most energy‑intensive sectors — feel it too.
What It Means for Australia
We’re far from Russia — but not immune. Here’s how Australia is involved and affected:
Import ban & price cap: Australia already has a total ban on importing Russian crude, refined petroleum, gas, coal, etc.
Price cap tightened: On 18 September 2025, Australia lowered its price cap on Russian crude from USD 60 to USD 47.60 per barrel.
Shadow fleet sanctions: Canberra has added 95 more “shadow fleet” vessels (ships used to bypass sanctions) to its sanctions list, bringing the total to over 150.
Loopholes remain: Some fuel imported into Australia is refined from Russian-origin crude in third countries (e.g. India). That has raised criticisms about our sanctions being too porous.
Even though Russia's ban doesn’t directly cut off fuel to Australia, global price rises can push up petrol, freight, and every product’s cost.
Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
Russia is still one of the world’s largest exporters of diesel, though export volumes are plunging.
Up to 10 of Russia’s 38 refineries have been hit or disrupted by Ukrainian strikes in recent months, reducing refining capacity significantly.
Australia’s imports of fuel products refined from Russian crude have in some years exceeded Australia’s aid to Ukraine.
Diesel is a backbone of global trade — trucks, shipping, farms all run on it — so disruptions affect many more than just motorists.
My Personal Take
To me, this is a stark reminder of how interconnected our world is. I never imagined decisions made in Moscow or drone strikes over Ukrainian refineries could echo all the way to a petrol pump in Brisbane or Perth. It makes me wonder how resilient our energy systems really are — and how much room we have to build more security into them.
Wrapping It Up
Russia’s renewed fuel export ban in 2025 — with its extension of the gasoline ban and new restrictions on diesel exports — is already creating ripple effects worldwide. Even in Australia, where we’ve banned Russian imports, the consequences are felt via higher global prices, sanctions policy moves, and debates over supply security.
Do you think Australia should push harder to close loopholes and ensure none of its fuel remains linked to Russia? I’d love to hear what you think.