Russia Imports Gasoline From India Amid Domestic Shortages

Russia has begun importing gasoline from India for the first time, a significant shift in trade flows triggered by Ukrainian drone strikes that have severely disrupted its domestic fuel supply. The inaugural shipment, carrying 42,000 metric tons of gasoline, arrived at a Russian port on August 5, according to ship-tracking data analyzed by market intelligence firm Kpler. The cargo was produced by Indian refiner Nayara Energy, which is partially owned by Russian state oil giant Rosneft.

The delivery marks a new phase in the fallout from Ukraine's sustained campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. The strikes have forced Russia, a major global oil exporter, to ban fuel exports through the end of 2026 and implement rationing measures across the country and in annexed Crimea. The supply crunch has coincided with the peak summer travel season and the agricultural harvest, placing additional strain on the domestic market.

The gasoline was loaded onto the Russian-flagged tanker Cyclone at Nayara's Vadinar refinery in western India on June 18. The cargo was then transferred to another vessel off the coast of Egypt before reaching Russia in early August. This complex logistics...