Russian Regulator Questions Moscow Fuel Retailer Over 19% Price Hike

Russia's anti-monopoly watchdog has requested an explanation from a major Moscow-area fuel retailer after it increased prices for 95-octane gasoline by 19 percent last week, Gleb Bryanski reported for Reuters.

Neftmagistral declined to comment on the regulator's request. (Photo: Nefmagistral)

The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) directed its inquiry to Neftmagistral, which operates about 100 fuel stations in Moscow and the surrounding region.

The price increase followed Ukrainian drone attacks on a Moscow oil refinery that supplies fuel to the capital region.

Neftmagistral declined to comment on the regulator's request.

According to Reuters, the price of 95-octane gasoline at Neftmagistral stations rose to approximately 95 rubles ($1.30) per liter on Thursday from about 80 rubles per liter on June 15.

The Moscow region has largely avoided the fuel shortages experienced elsewhere in Russia following repeated Ukrainian attacks on refining infrastructure.

Major Russian oil companies operating service stations in Moscow continued to charge lower prices. Rosneft reported that 95-octane gasoline at its Moscow stations cost 73.6 rubles per liter on Thursday.