loading . . . Kazakhstan steps up border controls to curb fuel smuggling amid Russian fuel crisis Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry has established 59 police checkpoints at vehicle border crossings in an attempt to curb the illegal export of fuel and lubricants from the country, according to a TASS report citing government officials. Since the start of 2026, a total of 195 foreigners and 60 Kazakh citizens have faced administrative penalties for attempting to illegally transport fuel in additional, unauthorized vehicle tanks.
Data from the Interior Ministry shows 255 cases this year involving vehicles with illegally modified extra fuel tanks. All offenders were fined under administrative law. Kazakhstan has banned the export of fuel-except what is kept in a vehicle's standard tank-for several years, regularly extending these restrictions.
On July 4, the Kazakh government announced the rollout of round-the-clock patrols aimed at stopping fuel smuggling. Mobile units are now checking tanker trucks and fuel carriers on border highways. Deputy Finance Minister Erzhan Bizhanov said authorities intercepted 61 attempts to smuggle more than three tons of fuel in just two days, as people tried to move it in extra tanks and canisters.
Further restrictions have also been imposed on vehicles from neighboring countries. Both freight and passenger vehicles are now limited to entering and exiting Kazakhstan only once per day. Deputy Energy Minister Kaiyrkhan Tutkyshbayev explained that the measure is meant to "maintain a balance of fuel consumption." According to him, recent months have seen a surge in demand for fuel in border regions with Russia-specifically the West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, and Pavlodar regions-leading to long lines at gas stations.
Kazakhstan's crackdown comes against the backdrop of a fuel crisis in Russia, triggered by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries. By late June, The Insider was documenting fuel shortages, sales limits, and supply disruptions in 88 of 89 regions under Russian control. In response, Russian authorities have banned exports of gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel, and begun talks to import fuel supplies.
President Vladimir Putin recently held a government meeting focused on the challenges facing Russia’s fuel and transport sectors. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak acknowledged that attacks on refineries have led to a temporary drop in gasoline and diesel production and described the overall situation as "still difficult." A day earlier, Reuters reported that after a Ukrainian drone strike, Russia’s largest gasoline plant, the Omsk refinery, was forced to halt operations. https://www.uawire.org/kazakhstan-steps-up-border-controls-to-curb-fuel-smuggling-amid-russian-fuel-crisis
