The government announced on Thursday that Russia will ban petrol exports for six months from March 1 to ensure it has enough fuel for domestic use.
Russia is the world’s third biggest oil producer, but it has faced occasional fuel shortages since last summer because of high demand and refinery maintenance.
Gasoline prices have gone up since the beginning of the year, a problem worsened by Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries.
The government said in a statement on Thursday: “Petrol exports are restricted for six months, from 1 March to 31 August.”
It said the measure was meant to “keep the fuel market stable during a time of high demand linked to spring farming activities, the holiday season and planned repairs of oil refineries.”
The Kremlin also wants to prevent fuel shortages at home before elections next month, where President Vladimir Putin is trying to keep his hold on power.
Russia imposed a similar export ban on diesel and petrol last year, after some farmers could not harvest grain because of fuel shortages.
