Russia Turns to Japanese Jet Fuel Amid Refining Capacity Crisis
Russia plans to import jet fuel from Japan through intermediary traders to combat a deepening domestic shortage triggered by Ukrainian drone strikes on its energy infrastructure. According to Reuters, citing sources, the move aims to address the crisis caused by the ban on jet fuel exports since June.
The shortage has resulted in at least 200,000 barrels of jet fuel being expected to load from the city of Chiba in the first half of July and be shipped to South Korea. The cargo will then be loaded onto another tanker, likely through ship-to-ship transfer off South Korea’s Yeosu port, before heading to Russia.
This move comes as a response to the critical level reached by the domestic jet fuel market, with Russian low-cost airline Azimut announcing that both international and domestic flights are no longer economically viable. The ban on jet fuel exports, implemented on June 1, has further exacerbated the shortage.
Impact of Ukrainian Strikes on Russia’s Refining Capacity
The crisis is a direct result of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia‘s oil refineries and depots. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian strikes have destroyed 15 Russian oil refineries since the start of 2026, disabling nearly 40% of Russia’s oil refining capacity.
The military war may be swinging in Ukraine’s favor, but the information war continues. Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
Original Article: Russia turns to Japanese jet fuel as Ukrainian strikes cripple refining capacities — Nv