Russia has reportedly asked Kazakhstan for gasoline supplies as it is forced to import gasoline due to attacks on Ukrainian refineries.
According to Reuters, Kazakhstan has been asked to stockpile 100,000 tonnes of gasoline, equivalent to 845,000 barrels, to supply Russia in case of a shortage.
It is unclear whether an agreement has been reached. The Kremlin is also seeking supplies from Belarus.
Russia is typically a gasoline exporter, but Ukraine's drone attacks severely damaged its refining capacity, forcing it to rely on imports to meet demand.
Drone attacks have struck Russian oil refineries at least a dozen times, including five in March alone, and can extend hundreds of miles into Russian territory.
Unable to gain territory on the ground on either side, Ukraine turned to attacks on Russia's infrastructure as a means of damaging its wartime economy.
According to the Defense Ministry, more than 10% of Russia's refining capacity has been shut down due to airstrikes.
A major Russian oil refinery on the border with Kazakhstan was also forced to shut down over the weekend due to heavy flooding.
Russia last month imposed a six-month ban on gasoline exports, saying it would stabilize prices and allow time for refinery facilities to be repaired. The government had previously introduced a ban from September to November. In both cases, neighboring former Soviet Union states are exempt from the ban.
Last year, it exported 5.8 million tons of gasoline, about 13% of its total production. Gasoline prices are rising as gasoline shortages occur in some areas of the country.
The Russian government says the attack has not had a significant impact on the Russian economy, as the country is simply exporting more oil that cannot be refined into oil.
Kazakhstan has implemented its own ban on gasoline exports for about two years in an effort to balance supply and demand.
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