Moscow: The disruptions to Russia’s energy sector, exacerbated by its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, are having significant repercussions throughout Central Asia. The region is witnessing a rise in fuel prices, with governments hastily seeking alternative sources to fulfill their energy demands.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, officials are attempting to reassure the public that fuel supplies will remain sufficient and that prices are expected to decline once global disruptions stabilize. Daniyar Amangeldiev, Kyrgyzstan’s first deputy prime minister, acknowledged the inevitability of rising fuel prices due to the current global geopolitical turmoil. He suggested a gradual increase in prices, by 1 som every two weeks, instead of a sudden spike.
For residents of Central Asia, the immediate impact of rising prices is palpable. Azat, a taxi driver from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, expressed his struggle with the increasing fuel costs, which are significantly affecting his daily earnings. He noted the sharp increase in gasoline prices and the difficulty in covering expenses due to congested city traffic.
Kyrgyz officials, however, maintain that the country has avoided severe fuel shortages seen in some parts of Russia. Kanat Eshatov, head of the Association of Oil Traders of Kyrgyzstan, assured that the supply situation remains stable, with sufficient reserves lasting more than six weeks, despite disruptions caused by drone attacks on refineries.
In Tajikistan, a nation heavily reliant on Russian petroleum imports, the situation is especially dire. The Antimonopoly Service reports that 84 percent of Tajikistan’s petroleum products in 2025 were imported from Russia. With climbing gasoline and diesel prices, exacerbated by disruptions in the Persian Gulf due to Middle Eastern conflicts, consumers are feeling the squeeze. Abdujabbor, a taxi driver in Khujand, lamented the sharp rise in diesel prices, which is contributing to declining incomes without clear explanations from fuel stations.
The Uzbek aviation sector is also feeling the pressure, with the national airline forced to cancel several flights to Russia due to jet fuel shortages. According to economist Otabek Bakirov, Uzbekistan’s growing dependence on Russian energy imports is causing significant strain, necessitating urgent diversification of fuel sources through neighboring countries.
Economist Eldar Abakirov emphasized the risks of relying on a single supplier, urging the Kyrgyz government to seek energy agreements with countries like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan finds itself in a unique position, as Russia seeks its help to alleviate its own fuel shortages. However, Kazakh officials remain focused on protecting their domestic market while exploring potential reductions in import customs duties to encourage fuel imports from other countries, notably China.
Kazakhstan’s energy infrastructure remains closely tied to Russian-controlled systems, posing potential vulnerabilities. Recent disruptions near Russian ports and regional export routes underscore the risks associated with external infrastructure reliance. Energy analyst Olzhas Baidildinov highlighted the potential impact of further attacks on Russia’s Orenburg Gas Processing Plant, which could directly affect Kazakhstan’s gas supply, stressing the country’s need to manage its dependency on Russian infrastructure carefully.
As Central Asian countries navigate these challenges, the ongoing situation underscores the pressing need for regional diversification of energy sources to mitigate the impacts of geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.