Russia scraps fuel import duty but sees no need for imports for now, TV reports

MOSCOW, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday that Russia had scrapped a duty on fuel imports, but saw no immediate need for buying fuel from abroad, according to Rossiya 1 TV station.

Some Russian regions have been suffering gasoline shortages and the authorities were forced to limit the sales of the fuel following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries.

Novak also said that domestic demand for oil products has been declining.

"The situation is stable, domestic market is fully provided with oil products. The government has decided to nullify import duty," he said.

Novak also mentioned that the Russian government has restricted exports of diesel for re-sellers and extended a gasoline exports ban, measures, he said, were aimed at providing additional fuel supplies to the domestic market.