Russia has begun importing gasoline from India for the first time as a deepening domestic fuel shortage forces Moscow to seek supplies from increasingly distant markets. The move highlights the severity of disruptions to Russia’s refining sector following repeated Ukrainian attacks on oil infrastructure.
The first Indian gasoline cargo arrived in Russia on August 5, according to shipping data from Kpler cited by Bloomberg. The shipment originated from Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, in which Russia’s Rosneft holds a major stake.
Refinery disruptions tighten Russian fuel supply
Russian gasoline supplies have been squeezed after Ukrainian drone attacks damaged or disrupted several oil refineries and other energy facilities. Reduced refinery operations have affected domestic fuel production, prompting shortages and increasing pressure on the country’s fuel distribution network.
The disruption has been significant enough for Russia to turn to overseas markets for additional gasoline. Industry reports indicate that the country has also sought fuel from other suppliers, including Morocco and Belarus, as domestic production struggles to fully meet demand.
India emerges as an important supplier
The arrival of Indian gasoline represents a notable shift in the bilateral energy relationship. India has traditionally been a major buyer of Russian crude oil, while its refiners have increasingly supplied petroleum products to international markets.
The latest cargo demonstrates how India’s large refining capacity can provide flexibility to global fuel markets when regional disruptions create shortages elsewhere. The involvement of Nayara Energy also gives the trade an additional connection to Russia through Rosneft’s stake in the Indian refinery.
Domestic fuel pressure remains a concern
Russia has introduced measures to protect domestic fuel availability, including restrictions on gasoline exports. The shortages have reportedly resulted in fuel rationing, long queues at filling stations and higher gasoline prices in several regions.
For Russia, importing gasoline from India involves a substantially longer supply route than sourcing fuel from nearby markets, increasing transportation costs and highlighting the extent of the domestic supply problem.
The development also underscores the increasingly interconnected nature of global energy markets. A country that remains one of the world’s largest oil producers and exporters is now sourcing refined fuel from India to bridge temporary supply gaps caused by disruptions to its domestic refining network.
Further Indian gasoline shipments to Russia could emerge if refinery outages persist and Moscow continues to prioritise domestic fuel availability over exports.
