Energy Twist: Russia Turns to India for Petrol Amid Refinery Attacks, Will New Delhi Help Moscow

In a dramatic reversal of global energy trade dynamics, Russia—traditionally one of the world's leading energy superpowers—has been forced to import refined petrol from India. Persistent Ukrainian drone strikes on domestic oil refineries, combined with routine seasonal maintenance and soaring summer demand, have severely disrupted Russian refining operations, compelling Moscow to lean on its strategic partner, New Delhi, to secure fuel supplies.

Ukraine Drone Attacks Cripple Russian Refineries

Russia’s domestic petroleum supply chain has come under intense pressure due to continuous drone attacks targeting critical oil refining infrastructure. According to energy market analytics, these targeted strikes, alongside transportation bottlenecks and peak summer demand, have severely hampered gasoline production. While Russia maintains a relatively stable buffer for diesel, its petrol supply situation remains critically sensitive.

Under normal circumstances, Russian refineries produce just enough gasoline to cover domestic requirements without massive export surpluses. Consequently, reduced refinery output has triggered acute shortages, with several regional petrol stations limiting fuel sales per vehicle and Moscow implementing strict bans on diesel and petrol exports ahead of the upcoming winter season.

India Emerges as a Key Petrol Exporter to Russia

To plug the domestic shortfall, Russia has turned to India, alongside traditional suppliers like Belarus and Kazakhstan. Ship-tracking data reveals a remarkable escalation in fuel shipments from Indian shores:

• June Shipments: India exported approximately 12,000 barrels of petrol per day to Russia.

• July Surge: Volumes nearly doubled to approximately 21,000 barrels per day.

• Cumulative Supply: Combined shipments over June and July totaled roughly 1 million barrels, with additional undisclosed volumes potentially reaching Russia via ship-to-ship transfers.

Trade sources identify Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery in Gujarat as a primary Indian supplier of petrol to Russia—a facility in which Russian entities hold a notable stake.

A Full Circle in India-Russia Energy Ties

This unprecedented trade flow marks a fascinating turning point in bilateral energy relations over the past four years. Ever since Western sanctions severed Russia's traditional European markets following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, India emerged alongside China as a top buyer of discounted Russian crude oil.

Indian refineries routinely process this imported Russian crude into refined petroleum products like petrol and diesel. As a result, a portion of the petrol currently being shipped from India back to Russia is manufactured directly from the very same Russian crude oil that Moscow previously sold to New Delhi, completing a remarkable geopolitical and economic circle.