The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) has initiated the first anti-monopoly cases after an assessment of the oil products market. The information came through official channels of the ministry and related departments, signaling a formal step in monitoring pricing dynamics within the sector.
The legal actions target entities accused of selling fuel at inflated prices. The list includes:
— JSC Oskolneftesnab in Belgorod region;
— Goodwill-A LLC and Realgram LLC in Stavropol Territory;
— OOO Gazpromneft-Regional Sales in Rostov region;
— LLC named after Ilsky Oil Refinery, AA Shamara, and LLC Slavyansk ECO in Krasnodar Territory. The FAS identified potential anti-competitive agreements in these cases, underscoring concerns about market manipulation and price coordination.
A separate suit was filed against the Association of Gas Station Owners in Dagestan for coordinating economic activities. Reports indicate that the association’s president directed actions of gas station owners and tenants via messaging to push a one-time rise in retail fuel prices, a move viewed as an attempt to stabilize margins through collective action.
On September 11, FAS control announced that pricing chains from refinery purchases to consumer sales would be scrutinized to understand price movements end to end, aiming to map and verify the flow of costs through the market chain.
Strategies to counteract rising prices
On September 21, the Council of Ministers imposed a broad prohibition on the export of gasoline and diesel. International transit shipments and humanitarian aid under intergovernmental agreements were exempt, as were fuel supplies to foreign military contingents. The aim of the restriction is to stabilize domestic fuel prices and ensure reliable supply for households and essential users. The measure remains in effect until price stability is achieved. A Kremlin spokesperson noted that the global fuel market is currently unstable and requires regulatory action in Russia.
On September 22, authorities signaled ongoing work to adjust the tax system to keep gasoline and diesel affordable for the domestic market. This update was announced by Anton Rubtsov, head of the oil and gas complex department at the Ministry of Energy, indicating an intent to align fiscal policy with market realities.
By September 28, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak indicated that stronger regulatory measures could be introduced if fuel prices at gas stations do not drop. He credited earlier steps with reducing prices on the fuel exchange and anticipated improvements in the small wholesale, retail, and agricultural sectors. He compared potential future actions to measures previously used in the fertilizer market, signaling a willingness to use targeted interventions when needed to maintain price relief for consumers.
During a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on September 27, Novak reported that the Council of Ministers was reviewing the fuel dampening mechanism and considering increased subsidies to oil workers to offset differences between domestic and international fuel costs. The goal is to ensure a stable and reliable fuel supply within Russia and to minimize volatility for end users.
Plans were also discussed to curb gray exports by companies that buy fuel with subsidies and then resell it abroad. Proposals include raising protective taxes on fuel sellers from 20,000 rubles per ton to 50,000 rubles, with the possibility of a complete ban on sales to intermediaries if necessary. These measures aim to deter circumvention and protect the domestic market from price spikes caused by leakage or speculative activity, according to government briefings [FAS, 2024].
Gasoline price movement
Average consumer prices for gasoline rose by 27 kopecks between September 19 and September 25, reaching 55.92 rubles per liter. Diesel costs increased by 1 ruble 3 kopecks, to 64.99 rubles per liter. Data from the Saint Petersburg International Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange shows AI-92 gasoline priced at 57,951 rubles per ton, up 0.53 percent in a day, while AI-95 stood at 60,393 rubles per ton, up 0.63 percent. Rosstat reports indicate that gasoline producer prices have surged more than twofold since the start of the year. The price range from AI-81 to AI-92 rose by 5.3 percent, with AI-93 to AI-95 increasing by 6.6 percent and AI-96 to AI-98 by 4.3 percent. In a meeting on September 27, President Putin directed the government to address the fuel market situation. He emphasized that retail prices are rising and that consumers deserve tangible results, while noting external factors that influence pricing.
Overall, the government has pursued a mix of price controls, subsidy adjustments, and anti-exchange measures to cushion domestic consumers from rapid fluctuations. The objective remains to balance market efficiency with social affordability, ensuring a dependable fuel supply while maintaining fair competition across regions [FAS, 2024; Kremlin press office statement].