India Steps Up as Key Petrol Supplier to Russia Amid Fuel Shortages
India has become a key petrol supplier to Russia following severe fuel shortages caused by drone strikes on Russian refineries. The attacks, which averaged one every two days in July and August, damaged facilities and reduced domestic petrol output at affected plants by up to 70%. To stabilize its domestic supplies, Russia turned to sea-based imports from India, Turkey, and Morocco.
Indian refiners supplied around 10 lakh barrels of gasoline during July and August, with the majority coming from the Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, which is partly owned by Rosneft. This refinery processes crude oil imported from Russia, which has accounted for over half of India's total crude oil imports since June and July.
Russia extended its ban on petrol exports through January 2027 and maintained its diesel export ban through September 1, 2026. Meanwhile, Indian petrol shipments to Russia involved ship-to-ship transfers in the Mediterranean Sea, where vessels turned off their automatic tracking signals during transport.