Russia Turns to India for Petrol as Ukraine War Reshapes Global Energy Trade
Russia has begun importing petrol from India for the first time, highlighting a dramatic shift in global energy flows driven by the Ukraine war, sanctions, and refinery disruptions.
In a major reversal of traditional energy trade, Russia has started importing petrol from India by sea after repeated Ukrainian drone attacks damaged several Russian oil refineries, leading to fuel shortages. Reports say India has already shipped around 60,000 metric tonnes of gasoline, while Moscow plans to import larger volumes from friendly nations to stabilize domestic supplies.
The development comes even as India continues to buy record amounts of discounted Russian crude oil. According to energy intelligence firm Kpler, India imported a record 4.93 million barrels of crude oil per day in June, with more than half of that supply coming from Russia. Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, Russia has become India's largest crude oil supplier by offering oil at discounted prices after Western sanctions reduced its access to European markets.
Before the war, Russian crude accounted for only a small share of India's oil imports. However, India's refiners capitalized on cheaper Russian crude, refining it into petroleum products and exporting fuel to global markets, including Europe.
Sanctions also forced both countries to adopt alternative payment mechanisms, including transactions in UAE dirhams and investments of Russian rupee holdings in Indian assets.
Russia's decision to buy refined petrol from India reflects how global energy trade has evolved amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. While India remains heavily dependent on Russian crude to meet its growing energy needs, Russia is now relying on Indian refining capacity to overcome fuel shortages caused by the war.
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