India Increases Russian Oil Purchases as Crude Imports from Moscow Surge in May, According to Report
India imported Russian fossil fuels worth approximately 5.8 billion euros (USD 6.7 billion) in May, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest buyer of these resources. The increase in imports is attributed to Indian refiners capitalizing on discounted crude from Russia, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Crude oil constituted about 83% of these imports, amounting to 4.8 billion euros.
Crude oil imports from Russia saw an 8% month-on-month increase in May, driven by a 21% rise in Russian crude purchases. The report indicates that several major Indian refining hubs experienced a surge in Russian crude arrivals during this period. The Vadinar refinery in Gujarat reported a 36% increase in unloaded volumes compared to April, while the Jamnagar complex saw a 14% rise.
State-run refiners resumed Russian crude imports earlier this year after halting them in late November 2025. The New Mangalore and Visakhapatnam refineries recorded significant month-on-month increases in May, with New Mangalore’s imports rising by 13% and Visakhapatnam’s by 42%. The Paradip refinery in Odisha also achieved its highest volume of Russian crude imports in two years, reflecting the ongoing demand for discounted Russian oil among Indian refiners.
India has emerged as a major buyer of Russian crude following Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite efforts to diversify its energy sources from the Middle East, Africa, and the United States, Russian oil continues to play a significant role in India’s crude import portfolio. In May, China remained the largest buyer of Russian crude, accounting for 50% of shipments, while India followed with 36%.
The CREA report also noted that despite the European Union’s ban on imports of oil products made from Russian crude, shipments from refineries processing Russian oil still reached sanctioned countries. In May, refineries in India, Turkiye, Brunei, and Georgia exported oil products worth 641 million euros to sanctioning countries, including the EU, Australia, the US, and New Zealand. Notably, 214 million euros of these products were refined from Russian crude.
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