Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Russia Imports Indian Petrol After Ukrainian Strikes Hit Refineries
Ukraine attacked some oil refineries in Russia, damaging equipment that makes petrol.
Other refineries were also undergoing regular maintenance.
At the same time, people used more petrol during the summer.
Because Russia had less petrol than usual, it began buying fuel from other countries.
India sent nearly 1 million barrels of petrol to Russia in June and July.
Much of this fuel came from the Vadinar refinery operated by Nayara Energy.
Some of the petrol may have been made from Russian oil that India had imported earlier.
Russia has stopped petrol exports and limited some sales at fuel stations.
Experts expect Turkey may also supply petrol, but India is likely to remain important.
Ukrainian strikes, maintenance, strong summer demand and logistical problems have reduced Russia’s petrol supplies.
Russia imported an estimated nearly 1 million barrels of petrol from India in June and July.
Ship-tracking data identified Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery as the main Indian supplier.
Most Russian petrol imports came from Belarus, while Kazakhstan supplied only limited volumes.
Russia has restricted petrol exports and limited some fuel-station sales as domestic shortages deepen.
- Who
- Russia imported petrol from India, primarily from Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery, after Ukrainian strikes disrupted Russian refining.
- What
- India supplied Russia with an estimated nearly 1 million barrels of petrol during June and July.
- When
- The reported shipments occurred in June and July, with trade sources indicating the trend likely continued in August.
- Where
- The petrol was shipped from India to Russia, with cargoes linked to Vadinar and possible transfers through Morocco and Turkey.
- Why
- Ukrainian refinery strikes, routine maintenance, strong summer demand and logistical bottlenecks reduced Russia’s domestic petrol availability.
- Indian petrol shipments
- Kpler data indicates about 12,000 barrels per day in June and 21,000 barrels per day in July.
- Estimated total
- The June and July shipments amounted to close to 1 million barrels, while another estimate described the total as over 1 million barrels.
- Main supplier
- Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery was identified by trade sources as the main Indian supplier.
- Other suppliers
- Most Russian petrol imports came from Belarus; Kazakhstan was described as unable to provide significant volumes.
- Russian response
- Russia restricted product exports and reportedly limited the volume of petrol sold to vehicles at some fuel stations.
- Diesel situation
- Russia was described as relatively more comfortable with diesel because its refining system produces more diesel than domestic demand requires.
- Potential future source
- Experts and trade sources expect Turkish refineries to begin supplying Russia, while India remains an important source.