30 June 2026
Private Russian gas stations not affiliated with major oil companies have begun offering gasoline at retail prices of 120 and even 140 rubles per liter, Reuters reports.
Prices at some stations first approached the 100-ruble mark two weeks ago, but they didn’t cross it because their software simply didn’t accommodate three-digit price tags—fuel hadn’t previously been sold at such prices in Russia, sources in independent chains told Reuters.
By the end of June, however, the situation on the fuel market had worsened, and independent stations, after making technical adjustments to their software, began offering gasoline at 100 rubles per liter and above. “Expensive fuel doesn’t discourage customers who come to fill up when they see closed stations belonging to vertically integrated oil companies nearby,” one trader told Reuters.
At independent gas stations in the Central Federal District that still have fuel in stock, AI-92 can be found for 115 rubles per liter and up, AI-95 for around 120 rubles, and diesel fuel for 130-140 rubles per liter.
Independent gas stations, even with higher prices, cannot operate smoothly—just like oil company stations, whose prices are roughly half those of private operators, while their sales volumes are higher. At vertically integrated oil company stations, where gasoline or diesel fuel is available, queues grow and the fuel sells out much faster than usual, after which the stations shut down to wait for the next tanker.
Prices at vertically integrated oil company (VIOC) gas stations are little different from pre-crisis levels: AI-92 costs between 63 and 66 rubles per liter, while AI-95 costs 70 and 73 rubles per liter. Even amid shortages, oil companies are adhering to an unspoken agreement with regulators to keep pace with inflation, Reuters sources say.
However, wholesale sales of AI-92 gasoline and diesel fuel on the exchange are more than half of their corresponding levels in June last year, while AI-95 is approximately 1.5 times lower. Demand significantly exceeds supply—most purchase orders are going unfulfilled, Reuters sources say. Moreover, purchased volumes are not immediately available on the market and are not sufficient to alleviate the crisis: exchange-traded lots are increasingly rarely unloaded within the 30-day period stipulated by the contract.
According to exchange traders, sellers regularly delay shipments, and one to two months of delay is now the norm for most volumes currently in the shipping stage. Some traders still haven’t received shipments for which prepayments were made back in February.
Traders say spot fuel supplies are only available at oil depots that have received bulk purchases on the exchange or are still stockpiling volumes from the winter.
The price of such small wholesale lots with immediate shipment in bulk into tank trucks is currently twice the average wholesale prices on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange.
Thus, spot auto lots of AI-92 gasoline can be purchased today at a price of approximately 155 thousand rubles per ton, AI-95 – 170 thousand rubles, diesel fuel – 135-150 thousand rubles.
Per liter, the cost of AI-92 at oil depots is 114-118 rubles per liter, and AI-95 is 125-128 rubles, respectively. Taking into account minimal retail costs, the price at gas station counters will reach 125 rubles per liter and 135 rubles per liter, respectively.
Diesel fuel in small wholesale quantities is sold at 112-125 rubles per liter; with retail sales costs included, the price at the gas station should be at least 120-130 rubles per liter.
These are legitimate dealers. You can bet the black market price will be double this, at least.
Actually, three times as much in one region, according to the Moscow Times. 😄
https://ru.themoscowtimes.com/2026/06/30/virkutske-tseni-nabenzin-nachyornom-rinke-vzleteli-do300-rublei-zalitr-a199586
Even better. By the time Ukraine have finished with mafia land, gas will be rarer than rocking horse shit. Latest update, $25 a gallon for diluted gas. 😂
We’re talking russian roulette for cars.
I was laughing at some russian clown in his Merc. He was whining because his dashboard was a sea of red warning lights. It seems he put some dodgy fuel in his car. I also heard that putler is going to start selling octane 76 because it needs little refining. I can’t wait to see broken down cars all over mafia land.
I saw the same clip. This fuel crisis is exposing all sorts of interesting side effects.
My wife remembers octane 76 from Soviet times. It was basically shit, only fit for old Ladas and tractors.
You need an engine with low compression ratio, otherwise you’ll junk it in short order.