India has emerged as a significant exporter of petrol to Russia, with shipments reaching nearly 1 million barrels over the past two months, as relentless Ukrainian drone strikes have crippled Russian refineries and forced Moscow to turn to imports to sustain domestic fuel supply, according to ship-tracking data and energy analytics firm Vortexa.

Scale of Russia's Fuel Crisis

Russia's seaborne gasoline imports surged to a record 470,000 tonnes in August, with long queues forming at petrol stations across the country as refinery shutdowns triggered acute shortages. According to Vortexa, domestic fuel production dropped by as much as 70 per cent, compelling Moscow to impose a ban on petrol and diesel exports to protect dwindling domestic supplies.

The analytics firm recorded as many as 32 drone attacks on Russian refineries during July and August, averaging roughly one strike every two days — a sustained campaign that has fundamentally disrupted Russia's downstream energy infrastructure.

India's Role and Key Suppliers

Indian refiners emerged as among the most important suppliers to Russia, alongside Turkey and Morocco. Trade sources indicate that a significant share of India's petrol exports originated from Nayara Energy's refinery at Vadinar on the Gujarat coast — a facility in which Russian oil major Rosneft holds a stake, adding a notable strategic dimension to the trade.

This comes amid India's broader expansion as a refining powerhouse. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri stated earlier this month that India is advancing its position as the world's third-largest refiner, with capacity rising from 272 MMTPA toward 300 MMTPA.

India's Crude Import Diversification

On the import side, India has widened its crude oil sourcing to 41 countries, up from 27 previously, following the outbreak of the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical transit route through which 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas exports flow under normal conditions.

With the Strait of Hormuz choked by the Middle East conflict, India's crude imports from Russia surged sharply. In July, Russia accounted for more than half of India's total oil imports, displacing the UAE and Saudi Arabia as the country's largest crude supplier.

Russia Still Dominates India's Crude Basket

India's crude imports from Russia are estimated at approximately 2.1 million barrels per day (mbpd) in August, down from record levels of around 2.6 mbpd in July and June, according to shipping intelligence firm Kpler. Despite the month-on-month decline, Russia retains its position as India's largest crude supplier, accounting for more than 40 per cent of total imports.

The next largest suppliers are the UAE at 611,000 barrels per day, Saudi Arabia at 385 kbpd, Venezuela at 383 kbpd, Nigeria at 129 kbpd, and Brazil at 120 kbpd.

Strategic Importance for India

India imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements, making supply chain resilience a strategic imperative. Officials argue that the diversification across 41 source countries has reduced dependence on any single nation, region, or transit route, strengthening India's ability to absorb supply disruptions during a period of heightened geopolitical volatility in global energy markets.

With refining capacity expanding and export opportunities emerging even in conflict-affected markets, India's energy posture is evolving from a price-sensitive buyer to a more active participant in global fuel trade flows.