Is it true that 40% of fuel is being taken for an “export reserve” and gas station sales will be limited?

The regional government called the document a forgery. It misspells the governor’s surname: “Adeev” instead of Avdeev.^[1][2]

Authorities in Oryol Region called both the “governor’s decree” and the “Ministry of Energy order” fakes. In the DNR document, the Ministry of Energy order number is taken from a different document from 2024, and the number of the order itself does not match the dates of real ones. The Zaporozhye “document” cites a government resolution whose number belongs to a 2020 order on the coal industry. Similar hoaxes were found in 17 regions in total.^{[1][4][5][6][7][8]}

No such reserve exists in law. The state reserve is governed by federal law, and regions cannot create one. Fuel can be seized from private companies only under a state of emergency and with compensation.^[6][7]

Partly true. On October 9, Trump announced an agreement with Putin on Russian diesel supplies, and the US temporarily lifted sanctions until April 7, 2027. According to Novak, diesel exports in November will rise to about 2.15 million tonnes, against 0.51 million tonnes in October. Novak says only surplus will be exported. According to The Moscow Times (November 2), after the rushed export of diesel, it was left at fewer than 40% of filling stations in St. Petersburg, compared with about 70% at the end of October.^{[1][17][16][21]}

That was and partly still is the case, but not because of an “export reserve”. Since summer 2026, because of drone strikes on refineries, “per person” limits (15–40 liters per car) have been introduced in dozens of regions. In October they were lifted in at least 15 regions. As of October 29, limits remained in Tambov Region and at some stations in Yamal. In Oryol, an earlier 30-liter limit still applies at some stations. On November 1, after a drone strike on Lukoil's refinery in Kstovo, the Nizhny Novgorod region set a limit of 40 liters of gasoline per car and banned sales into canisters.^{[10][11][4][12][14][20]}

Not confirmed. Vladimir Region authorities denied that fuel benefits for agriculture are being abolished. According to “War on Fakes”, the Ministry of Energy said there are no problems with diesel.^[3][8]

After drone strikes on refineries, a gasoline shortage begins in Russia. By the end of June, sales limits are in place in dozens of regions.^[14][15]

A precursor: a fake “decree of the governor of Khabarovsk Krai” setting a 20-liter daily limit. The region’s authorities called it a forgery.^[9]

The diesel export ban for producers is extended to October 31; the gasoline export ban remains in force until the end of January 2027.^[13]

Trump announces an agreement with Putin on Russian diesel supplies; the US temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian diesel.^[17][1]

The date on the fake “orders” of Vladimir Region and the DNR. The exact date of first publication was not found.^[1]

First debunkings: the Vladimir Region government; analyses of the “documents” of the DNR and Rostov Region.^[2][6]

The wave reaches Oryol and Zaporozhye regions; Oryol authorities call the documents fake. Lenta.ru publishes a summary analysis.^[4][5][7][1]

“War on Fakes” counts hoaxes in 17 regions, plus a forged Ministry of Energy document and an “appeal from Voronezh farmers”. The same day, Izvestia reports that gas station limits have been lifted in 15 regions.^[8][10]

After a drone strike on the refinery in Kstovo, a limit of 40 liters of gasoline per car is introduced, along with a ban on canister sales and restrictions on taking fuel out of the region.^[20]

The diesel export ban for producers is extended to January 31, 2027, but with quotas for certain suppliers.^[16]

In St. Petersburg, diesel is available at fewer than 40% of filling stations (about 70% at the end of October). Economist Janis Kluge links this to the rushed diesel exports under the deal with the US; private stations in the Leningrad region limit sales to 30–50 liters.^[21]

Analysis of the forged documents of Vladimir and Rostov regions and the DNR: errors in the surname, numbers and dates, and borrowed order numbers.^[1]

Legal analysis: there is no “export reserve” in law, and a region cannot seize private fuel.^[6][7]

Hoaxes in almost two dozen regions; all the documents are fake.^[8]

Regional authorities: the governor did not issue any decree. Also noted: an earlier 30-liter limit still applies at some stations.^[4][5]

In October, gas station limits were lifted in at least 15 regions; in some places they still apply.^[10][11]

Independent and Ukrainian media confirm the real crisis: strikes on refineries, regional limits, export bans.^{[12][13][14][16]}

I found no separate check of the forged documents.

According to “War on Fakes”, scans of the “orders” spread through regional Telegram channels. The specific channels and their reach are not named in the analyses.^[8]

Outcome: Denied by regional authorities; no coupons were introduced.^[18]

Outcome: Fake. The real measures were sales limits and a ban on canisters.^[19]

Outcome: Regional authorities: a forgery meant to cause panic.^[9]