It has been shown that the most appropriate and simple process for desulfurization of motor fuels is the direct oxidation of sulfur compounds with atmospheric oxygen on heterogeneous catalysts based on transition metal oxides. The feasibility of oxidation of thiophene with atmospheric oxygen in a model mixture with dodecane over vanadium-molybdenum catalysts has been shown, as well as that of oxidative desulfurization of actual straight-run diesel fraction. The activity of a number of samples of oxidative of desulfurization catalysts has been examined, the composition of the most effective catalyst has been determined, and optimum process conditions have been found.