Russia taps India for gasoline to ease fuel shortages after Ukraine's drone strikes

Russia has begun importing gasoline from India as fuel shortages spread across the country following repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on its energy infrastructure. It marks a rare shift for one of the world's largest energy producers. Instead of exporting fuel, Russia is now looking overseas to keep its domestic market supplied.

The decision comes as fuel shortages ripple across Russia's 11 time zones, with rationing, long queues at filling stations and record gasoline price increases being reported in several regions.

INDIA STEPS IN AS RUSSIA FACES FUEL SHORTAGES

According to news agency Reuters, Russia has already started receiving gasoline shipments from India by sea.

One source cited in the report said at least 60,000 metric tons of gasoline had been dispatched from India. Another said two tankers carrying between 30,000 and 40,000 tons each had already been sent.

It remains unclear which Indian refiner is supplying the fuel.

The imports come after the Kremlin confirmed this week that Moscow was speaking with several countries about buying fuel at acceptable prices to ease shortages at home.

DRONE ATTACKS HIT RUSSIA'S ENERGY NETWORK

The fuel crunch follows months of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries and energy facilities.

The attacks have disrupted refining operations and reduced domestic fuel supplies. The impact is now being felt across Russia's vast territory.

Reports from several regions have pointed to fuel rationing, long queues at filling stations and record increases in gasoline prices.

Russia consumes more than 110,000 metric tons of gasoline every day during summer, when demand typically peaks. Moscow reportedly plans to import as much as 400,000 metric tons of gasoline every month from several countries until domestic supplies improve.

Neighbouring Belarus has already increased exports to help bridge the gap.

BELARUS ALSO BOOSTS SUPPLIES

Belarus has emerged as another important supplier for Russia.

According to Reuters calculations, Belarus nearly tripled its rail shipments of gasoline to Russia during the first half of June compared with the previous month.

More than 70,000 metric tons of gasoline were delivered during that period.

Russia's parliament has also approved changes to the country's tax code to address the fuel crisis. The amendments include subsidies for imported fuel, with costs linked to delivery expenses from India.

PUTIN ADMITS SHORTAGES BUT PLAYS DOWN IMPACT

President Vladimir Putin has admitted that Ukrainian attacks have created fuel shortages in several Russian regions. Speaking during a meeting with ministers at the Kremlin, he said the government was working to resolve the situation.

Later, in an interview with Russian state television, Putin insisted that the strikes had not affected Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.

"All the strikes, wherever they hit our infrastructure, absolutely do not affect the situation on the front," he said.

He also called for a rapid increase in Russia's air defence capabilities to counter the growing number of Ukrainian drone attacks aimed at oil facilities and other infrastructure.

The Russian President also dismissed a new Ukrainian proposal to limit long-range strikes as a step towards peace. According to the Russian President, Kyiv was seeking to ease pressure on its armed forces rather than move towards a genuine settlement. He said Russia would continue pursuing its military objectives, including full control over four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claims as its own.

"It is clear why this proposal is being made," Putin said, arguing that Russian strikes inside Ukraine were having a greater impact than Ukrainian attacks.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a face-to-face meeting with Putin, but the Russian leader rejected the idea.

INDIA-RUSSIA ENERGY TIES GROW STRONGER

The gasoline shipments come as India continues to deepen its energy trade with Russia.

Ship-tracking data from LSEG and Kpler showed that India's crude oil imports from Russia reached a record high in June. Indian refiners increased purchases of discounted Russian crude after disruptions linked to the temporary closure of Strait of Hormuz affected supplies from other producers.

Russia accounted for more than half of India's crude oil imports during June, up sharply from 36.5 per cent in May, according to Kpler.

Preliminary data showed India imported around 2.7 million barrels of Russian oil per day during the month.

The surge has further strengthened energy ties between New Delhi and Moscow, even as Western nations continue efforts to isolate Russia economically over the war in Ukraine.

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