India Steps Up as Major Gasoline Supplier to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

India has emerged as a crucial supplier of gasoline to Russia amid a surge in Russian fuel imports triggered by Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries, according to energy analytics firm Vortexa. The attacks led to a 70% drop in domestic production, forcing Moscow to import petroleum products while continuing to impose restrictions on fuel sales across the country.

Russia's seaborne gasoline imports surged to a record around 125,000 barrels per day (kbd) in August, equivalent to a projected 470,000 tonnes for the month. Indian refiners supplied as much as 1 million barrels of gasoline in the last two months, with the majority coming from the Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, operated by Nayara Energy.

India's purchases of Russian crude oil hit a record high in June and July, accounting for more than half of the country's crude imports. It is likely that fuel exported to Russia may have been made from Russian crude.