Business · India Bureau
Russia turns to Indian refineries as Ukraine strikes disrupt domestic capacity
Russia imported record volumes of refined fuel products from India in August as Ukrainian drone attacks damaged its refining infrastructure. Indian refineries, particularly those with Russian ownership stakes, have become critical to Moscow's efforts to circumvent energy supply disruptions.
LSN India ·
Russia's oil product imports surged to 172,000 tonnes in August, representing more than seven times the previous monthly record, according to analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. The sharp increase reflects Moscow's reliance on foreign refining capacity as domestic refineries face repeated Ukrainian strikes.
India accounted for 70 per cent of Russia's imported oil products last month, supplying 120,000 tonnes of gasoline valued at approximately 78 million euros. The fuel was processed at the Vadinar refinery in Gujarat and sold by Nayara Energy, which is 49.13 per cent owned by Russian state company Rosneft, to buyers including Rosneft itself.
The Vadinar facility has increasingly sourced crude directly from Russia, with Russian supplies accounting for all crude processed during the first eight months of 2026, compared to 81 per cent for the full year 2025. This shift underscores how Indian refineries have become integral to Russia's energy supply chain amid international sanctions and military disruptions to domestic production capacity.
The August import volume was three times the total quantity of fuel products Russia imported during the entirety of 2025, highlighting the dramatic acceleration in recent months. Energy analysts attribute the surge to ongoing Ukrainian military operations targeting Russian oil refineries, forcing Moscow to depend increasingly on processing arrangements with partners outside its borders.