Russia Begins Importing Gasoline From India Amid Fuel Shortages

New Delhi, Jul 2 (KNN) Russia has begun importing gasoline from India by sea to address fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure, according to industry sources.

Russia Turns to India for Gasoline Supplies 

The move comes as fuel shortages have been reported across Russia, leading to rationing, long queues at fuel stations and a sharp rise in domestic gasoline prices. The Kremlin on Tuesday said it was in discussions with several countries to secure fuel imports at competitive prices.

Industry sources said at least 60,000 metric tonnes of gasoline have already been shipped from India to Russia. Two tankers carrying cargoes of 30,000-40,000 tonnes each are understood to have been dispatched, although the supplying Indian refiner has not been identified.

According to another industry source, Russia plans to import around 400,000 tonnes of gasoline every month from multiple countries, including Belarus, which is already supplying fuel. Russia's summer gasoline consumption is estimated at more than 110,000 tonnes per day.

Fuel Shortages Follow Refinery Disruptions 

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged that Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries had disrupted fuel supplies in some regions, while maintaining that the situation was being addressed. 

Russia has also amended its tax code to provide subsidies on fuel imports, with support linked to Indian delivery costs and prices.

Indian Imports of Russian Crude Hit Record High 

The development comes amid a sharp increase in India's imports of Russian crude oil. 

Preliminary ship-tracking data from Kpler and LSEG showed India's crude imports from Russia reached a record high in June as refiners increased purchases to offset supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Russian crude accounted for more than half of India's total oil imports in June, up from 36.5 percent in May. India, the world's third-largest oil importer, imported about 2.7 million barrels of Russian crude per day during the month, according to the preliminary data.

(KNN Bureau)