Attacks on Russian refineries will accelerate inflation. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that military correspondents have already raised the issue, highlighting the poor performance of air defense and the consequences of the strikes, including a rise in gasoline prices that citizens are already feeling.
“It is difficult to say what impact it will have on the Armenian market, but Armenia imports its fuel, mainly gasoline, from Russia. And these attacks, which are being carried out on Russian refineries, have led to a gasoline deficit within Russia. As they have already done once, they may reduce gasoline exports,” energy expert Armen Manvelyan said in an interview with Radar Armenia, adding that this will affect not only Armenia, but also all countries that import gasoline from Russia, since Russia is one of the largest exporting countries.
According to the expert, an alternative method for importing gasoline can be used from other countries. “Armenia used to import gasoline from Bulgaria, and this is one of the directions that can theoretically work. Theoretically, gasoline can also be imported from Iran and Iraq.” Touching on the price increases, he emphasized that it will be difficult to avoid them. As for the strategic reserves Armenia can consider for imports, he noted that import opportunities are limited. “The deficit is not only in Russia, but also in the whole world, since few countries have oil refining technology, and if Russia reduces its oil refining capacities for objective or subjective reasons, this leads to an increase in the price of diesel fuel and gasoline in the world,” the expert said.
It should be noted that today, the price of gasoline at gas stations has increased by 20-30 drams, and A. Manvelyan is convinced that if the strikes continue, the cost of gas will rise further.
