Russia eyes gasoline imports from India amid refinery disruptions: Report
New Delhi, June 25
Russia is working to launch large‑scale seaborne gasoline imports from India to address a widening domestic fuel shortfall caused by a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes on refinery infrastructure, a new report has said.
The report from Ukraine-based Kyiv Post said draft amendments to Russia's Tax Code would extend an existing subsidy mechanism for companies undertaking gasoline imports from India.
"Under the proposed rules, the subsidy would be calculated based on an indicative gasoline price on the Indian market and the cost of shipping fuel from Indian ports to Russia," the report said.
The State Duma's budget and tax committee has backed the bill, the media house said, citing an RBC report.
Russia's subsidy support for Indian refined crude follows a sharp deterioration in Russian refining capacity as attacks intensified in 2026.
India became Russia's largest buyer of crude, purchasing 1.5 to 2 million barrels following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It reached a record of 2.66 million barrels per day in June 2026, a part of which is processed in Indian refineries and re-exported as petroleum products, including gasoline.
India's total gasoline exports reached a record high of 4 lakh barrels per day in 2025, majorly imported by Asian countries.
Strikes on refineries have pushed Russia's crude processing to its lowest level in two decades, cutting gasoline output by roughly 25 per cent.
Operating refineries are producing about 85,000 tonnes of gasoline per day against summer demand of around 1.11 lakh tonnes, leaving a structural daily shortfall of roughly 25,000 tonnes.
The shortfall now amounts to about 20 per cent of domestic consumption and has pushed wholesale gasoline prices above 100 rubles, the report said.
Russian light aircraft operators have begun substituting automobile gasoline for aviation fuel due to shortage and aviation fuel price surge, it noted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good for our economy but let's be honest—we are profiting from a war situation. Russia's refinery disruptions are because of Ukrainian drone attacks, and we're filling that gap. Feels like walking a tightrope between being a neutral partner and an enabler. Need to think about long-term consequences.
Brilliant move by our government! Russia needs gasoline, we have refining capacity—simple business. Our crude imports from Russia saved us billions during the energy crisis, and now we're returning the favor. Bharat's refining sector is world-class. 👏
Wait—Russian light aircraft are using car gasoline because of aviation fuel shortage? That's some third-world level problem for a so-called superpower. Meanwhile, we're supplying them. Irony is too much. But honestly, if we can make a profit and keep relations warm, why not? Just hope we aren't dragged into this conflict diplomatically.
As an outsider looking in, India's balancing act is remarkable. Buying crude from Russia at discounted rates, refining it, and now selling gasoline back—it's a win-win. Western sanctions are being cleverly bypassed. Smart economic diplomacy even if morally gray.
Everyone talking about geopolitics but look at the numbers: our gasoline exports hit 4 lakh barrels per day in 2025! That's a massive achievement for Indian refineries. From importing crude to exporting refined products—we've come a long way since the 90s. 🇮🇳💪
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