Russia starts importing finished petrol from India as Ukrainian drone attacks disrupt fuel supplies by damaging or disrupting Russian refining capacity. Sources report that Russian retail fuel shortages and rationing occur amid refinery disruptions, prompting demand for alternative supply.
In this context, India’s gasoline exports to Russia increase sharply. One outlet says Russian gasoline imports reach unprecedented levels in August, with India becoming a major contributor. The same reporting links the shift to both operational impacts on Russian refineries and increased Russian crude imports from India, which may support downstream refining and export capacity. Another account describes the overall issue as a gap between Russia’s crude oil production and its refining output after strikes.
The articles also note that the trade involves complex logistics, including the use of sanctioned shipping and intermediary transfer practices. While outlets differ in emphasis—some focusing on the scale of India’s exports and others on the immediate domestic shortage conditions—the underlying explanation is consistent: refinery disruptions lead Russia to seek finished petrol abroad to maintain supply.
