MOSCOW, July 5 (Reuters) - Russia's gasoline production is expected to rise by between 15,000 and 20,000 metric tons in the last third of July as two refineries restart operations, the energy ministry said on Friday.

Gasoline exports to 'friendly' countries are down 70% from average daily levels in July 2023, the ministry said, despite a ban on exports being waived, while Russia has ample gasoline stockpiles for uninterrupted domestic supply. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Jason Neely)