Russia is introducing a six-month ban on gasoline exports, starting on March 1, to offset increased demand as well as lower output while some refineries undergo repairs, following Ukrainian strikes on some refineries, according to Russian news agencies.

“The decision to ban exports is necessary to compensate for the increase in demand during the summer holidays and fieldwork, as well as during planned refinery repairs,” Russian state news agency TASS reported on Tuesday.

Repairs are being undertaken at a number of refineries after a series of “accidents,” namely at Nizhny Novgorod, Tuapse and Ilsky facilities, according to Russian state media RIA.

Despite Russian state news outlets reporting the repairs as caused by “a number of accidents,” Ukrainian drone strikes had been reported at the Tuapse and Ilsky facilities, located relatively close to Ukraine’s borders.

The Nizhny Novgorod refinery — Russia’s fourth largest in terms of volume — was twice damaged by fire, in the space of a month, according to RIA.

/CNN