According to a Reuters report, fuel imports from Russia and Belarus to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries via rail have risen by more than 50 percent in the first quarter of 2026.
Kabul 24: This sharp increase comes as Moscow redirects its energy flows away from Europe, while ongoing conflict in Iran has significantly disrupted supplies from the Middle East.
Traders cited by Reuters indicated that total fuel deliveries to the region between January and March reached 3.347 million metric tons.
The surge highlights a major shift in energy supply routes for these landlocked nations, which are increasingly turning northward to meet their energy needs amid disruptions in traditional southern corridors.
Afghanistan, in particular, has seen a dramatic fourfold jump in imports from Russia and Belarus compared to the same period in 2025, reaching 530,000 tons. This includes 231,000 tons of gasoline.
Although Afghanistan is subject to Russia’s gasoline export restrictions, Belarus continues to supply the market, playing a key bridging role.
The redirection of Russian energy stems from Western sanctions and reduced exports to Europe following the EU embargo on Russian oil since 2023. Central Asia and Afghanistan have emerged as important alternative markets for Russian and Belarusian fuel products.
Rail transport has proven especially effective due to its capacity and relatively lower costs compared to road routes, despite ongoing logistical challenges in the region’s rail infrastructure.
Experts note that the war-related disruptions in the Middle East have tightened global fuel availability, pushing prices higher and forcing importers in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan to seek more stable northern sources.
This trend not only addresses immediate shortages but may also reshape long-term energy trade patterns across Eurasia.
While the increased reliance on rail imports offers advantages in volume and cost efficiency, challenges remain, including limited rail capacity in some segments and regulatory hurdles.
Nevertheless, traders expect the dependency on Russian and Belarusian supplies to grow further if tensions in the Middle East persist and Middle Eastern deliveries stay constrained.
This development underscores broader geopolitical shifts in the global energy landscape. Sanctions, conflicts, and supply chain disruptions are redirecting traditional flows, creating new opportunities for Russian exporters while highlighting the vulnerability of import-dependent regions to distant crises.
As a result, Central Asia and Afghanistan are adapting quickly to secure their energy future through strengthened northern connections
