This increase marked the third consecutive week of fast rises as rapidly growing gasoline prices are complicating the government's efforts to keep inflation within the targeted figure of 9% in 2006.
The Federal State Statistics Service said the average price of gasoline stood at 17.52 rubles (about $0.65) per liter on August 21, with the price of the low-octane A-76 and Ai-80 brands at 15.62 rubles ($0.58), the regular Ai-92 and Ai-93 brands at 18.35 rubles ($0.68) and Ai-95 premium brand at 19.65 rubles (abut $0.73).
The price of diesel went up 0.6% in the reporting period to an average of 17.08 rubles ($0.64) per liter.
Growth in average motor gasoline prices was registered in 50 centers of Russian regions, the agency said.
