Russia to Import 200,000 Barrels of Jet Fuel from Japan While Maintaining Export Ban

Russia is preparing to import at least 200,000 barrels of jet fuel originating in Japan, OilPrice.com reported. The cargo will load from Chiba in the first half of July before a ship-to-ship transfer at Yeosu port in South Korea and onward shipment to Russia. Russia banned most jet fuel exports through November 2026 to preserve domestic supplies.

Exports have already declined to about 13,000 barrels per day in 2026 from an average of roughly 30,000 barrels per day in 2025, according to Kpler data cited by the report. President Vladimir Putin stated last weekend that fuel shortages had become serious enough to require direct government intervention. Russia has since set up a 24-hour monitoring center to track fuel supplies nationwide.

Uzbekistan Airways has reduced flights to Russia because of the shortages. Kazakhstan is exploring fuel imports from China to address supply disruptions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to intensify strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure.