The Ministry of Energy called the price of gasoline in Russia unfairly low and possible only thanks to the mechanism of reverse excise tax on crude oil with a damping premium.

“In Central Russia the actual price of AI-92 gasoline is 44.89 rubles per liter as of March 25, 2021. The fair retail price without a damper is 50.08 rubles per liter,” the Ministry of Energy said in a statement.

Therefore, the fair market price of fuel within the country without interference from the state would be 5.2 rubles per liter higher, according to the department.