India Emerges as a Crucial Petrol Supplier to Russia Amid Refinery Attacks and Fuel Shortages
India has become a significant energy supplier to Russia, exporting nearly 1 million barrels of gasoline in the last two months. This surge in exports comes as Russia faces a domestic fuel shortage and increasingly turns to international markets for supply. In August, Russia’s seaborne gasoline imports reached a record high of approximately 125,000 barrels per day, totaling around 470,000 tonnes for the month, according to energy analytics firm Vortexa.
India steps up petrol supplies to Russia
Most of the gasoline shipments to Russia have originated from Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, which is partially owned by Russia’s Rosneft. India’s gasoline exports to Russia coincide with a rise in its imports of Russian crude oil, which have increased significantly since 2022. In June and July, India imported over 2.6 million barrels per day of Russian crude, compared to 1 million barrels per day in February. This suggests that Indian refiners may have utilized Russian crude to produce gasoline that was subsequently exported back to Russia.
Vortexa reported that nearly 55 percent of Russia’s gasoline imports in August, or about 260,000 tonnes, were transported using sanctioned vessels. All gasoline cargoes from India to Russia in August were carried on sanctioned fleets and involved covert ship-to-ship transfers in the Mediterranean. Approximately 40 percent of Russia’s total gasoline imports during that month were moved through such transfers, often conducted without broadcasting vessel locations.
Drone attacks disrupt Russian fuel output
The increase in gasoline imports is largely attributed to disruptions caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries, which have significantly impacted domestic fuel production. Following these attacks, Russia’s gasoline production plummeted by as much as 70 percent. This situation has compelled Moscow, a major crude exporter, to seek imports to satisfy domestic demand while maintaining restrictions on fuel sales within the country.
Vortexa noted that there were 32 attacks on Russian refineries during July and August, averaging one attack every other day. The fuel shortage has also hampered Russia’s ability to export petroleum products. In July, Moscow extended its full gasoline export ban for both producers and non-producers until January 2027, while the diesel export ban was extended through September 1, 2026. As of August 25, Russia’s seaborne diesel and gasoil exports stood at around 150,000 barrels per day, unchanged from the previous month but significantly lower than the previous year and well below the five-year seasonal average.
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