Between July 1 and July 9, the median price of AI-92 gasoline at Russian gas stations rose by 20% year on year to 70.5 rubles per liter. Over the same period, the price of AI-95 increased by 24%, reaching 77.5 rubles. The newspaper Kommersant reported this, citing calculations by the analytical center Chek Index.
According to the publication, the company’s estimates are based on sales data collected from every third gas station in Russia. These calculations show that the average price of AI-98 at the start of the month climbed by 32% year on year to 119.5 rubles per liter, while AI-100 rose by 13% to 94.5 rubles.
The increase also affected other types of fuel. Diesel fuel, used mainly by freight transport, became 11% more expensive. The price of methane rose by 14%, while liquefied petroleum gas increased by 18%.
Experts say fuel prices are unlikely to fall in the coming weeks because demand remains consistently high. Analysts also point to a wide price gap: according to their data, the difference between chain-operated and independent gas stations can reach 2.1 times.
According to The Bell, these figures reflect the course of the fuel crisis much more accurately than Rosstat’s official statistics. The outlet writes that rising gasoline prices are fueling inflation and may affect the Central Bank’s decision at its July 24 meeting: journalists say the regulator may pause key rate cuts until autumn.
As the report notes, Russia’s gasoline shortage began in May with supply disruptions in annexed Crimea and the south of the country, and by June had spread to almost all regions. The main cause is described as more frequent Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, which left gasoline production by early July covering only about 65% of seasonal demand. The situation was further worsened by seasonal growth in consumption, delivery problems, and panic-driven demand.