The White House condemned renewed Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries as a disgrace, while US WTI crude prices rose 3.6% following a sharp drop in US commercial inventories. Meanwhile, Russia plans to import up to 620,000 tons of gasoline per month through December to maintain domestic fuel market equilibrium.
Global market
US WTI crude futures surged 3.6% to $98 per barrel, outpacing Brent ($106 per barrel) following EIA data showing a steep draw in US crude inventories. Highlighting supply risks, Ukrainian drones struck Rosneft’s Ryazan refinery, which accounts for nearly 5% of Russian refining capacity, confirmed Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov. In nuclear energy, Urenco USA reached 75% completion at its New Mexico enrichment facility, starting its sixth centrifuge cascade to strengthen US nuclear fuel independence. Additionally, six nations including Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey signed an agreement in Tashkent to accelerate transit times along the CASCA+ Eurasia-Europe corridor, while the Baltic Dry Index dropped 4.6% to 2,545 points.
Russia & CIS
US President Donald Trump called the resumption of Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries a disgrace, accusing Kyiv of refusing peace negotiations. Domestically, Russia plans to import up to 620,000 tons of gasoline monthly through December to sustain market stability following peak autumn demand, Kommersant reported. In energy exports, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev discussed expanding electricity exports with Mongolian Energy Minister Badrakhyn Naidala, while Inter RAO Export signed a contract to design the reconstruction of CHP-3 in Ulaanbaatar. In corporate finance, Russian companies including Gazprom Neft issued 6.8 billion yuan in bonds since early October.
Armenia
White House criticism of refinery strikes and US preparations for potential options against Iranian energy facilities shape Armenia’s regional context. Concurrently, Russia’s decision to import 620,000 tons of gasoline monthly stabilizes EAEU fuel supplies, preventing supply shortages in Armenia. Against this backdrop, retail prices for petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas in Armenia remain stable. Uninterrupted natural gas deliveries from Russia and power generation at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant continue at full capacity under long-term EAEU agreements, insulating the domestic market from price volatility recorded by international market price assessments.