Russia expands downgraded-fuel decree to Euro-2 and Euro-4, extends it through mid-2027

The Russian government adopted a new decree, effective Sept 1 2026, expanding the emergency fuel-quality rollback beyond the Euro-3 gasoline authorized in Mishustin's July decree to also permit production, import and sale of Euro-2 and Euro-4 grade gasoline and diesel — grades banned since 2013 — through June 30, 2027. The Energy Ministry framed the move as an anti-crisis measure to "make supplies more stable and reduce the risk of shortages." Euro-2 permits up to 50 times more sulfur than the Euro-5 standard Russia completed transitioning to in 2016; gas stations will be required to disclose the environmental class of fuel sold at the pump. The expansion follows widespread reports since early August of engine damage and breakdowns — especially in turbocharged, direct-injection engines common in Chinese-made cars — linked to the Euro-3 fuel already in circulation.