Russia's diesel exports to US face supply test as refinery attacks limit output

Russia's first 40,000-tonne diesel shipment to the US departs Thursday, testing Moscow's ability to boost exports amid Ukrainian drone attacks disrupting its refining capacity. The cargo follows a partial lifting of export restrictions after an agreement with President Trump. Russia has committed to supplying 300,000 tonnes initially, then 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes thereafter. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said shipments will stay within refining limits, as drone strikes have caused domestic shortages and constrained production recovery. The deal aims to ease elevated US diesel prices before midterm elections, though analysts say the volumes are unlikely to significantly impact American fuel costs. It marks a shift in US-Russia energy trade, banned since 2022, and coincides with deteriorating US-Ukraine ties.