Record Oil Imports by Russia Amidst Ukrainian Drone Strikes

Significant Increase in Oil Imports

New Delhi, Sept 13: In August, Russia saw a remarkable increase in oil product imports, totaling 172,000 tonnes. This included gasoline refined from Russian crude at an Indian refinery that is partially owned by Rosneft, a Russian company. This surge is attributed to disruptions in Moscow's domestic refining capabilities caused by Ukrainian drone strikes, as reported by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

According to CREA's monthly report on Russian fossil fuel exports and sanctions, India was responsible for supplying 70% of these oil product imports, which included 120,000 tonnes of gasoline valued at 78 million euros.

The amount of fuel imported by Russia was over seven times greater than the previous monthly record and three times the total imports for the entire year of 2025.

CREA noted, "Russia is effectively paying a refinery it partly owns to convert its own crude into fuel that it can no longer produce domestically, before transporting it back across the globe."

All gasoline exported from India was processed at the Vadinar refinery and sold to Rosneft by Nayara Energy, which is under EU sanctions. Rosneft holds a 49.13% stake in Nayara Energy, and Vadinar sourced all its crude from Russia during the first eight months of 2026, compared to 81% for the entirety of 2025, as per the report.

This increase in shipments highlights the effects of a persistent Ukrainian drone campaign targeting Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure, which has led to reduced domestic fuel production and subsequent shortages, CREA stated.

Each shipment of gasoline from Vadinar to Russia underwent a ship-to-ship transfer operation off the coast of Egypt before being delivered to Russia's Arctic port of Beloe More. The report indicated that all vessels involved were sanctioned tankers, with four out of six previously operating under false flags.

Despite being one of the largest exporters of refined petroleum products historically, Russia's gasoline imports have surged, with gasoline making up 74% of total oil product imports in August, a stark contrast to an average of just 6% from 2023 to 2025.

In addition, South Korea contributed 18,000 tonnes of oil products to Russia in August, primarily gasoil, while Egypt exported 25,000 tonnes of diesel worth 16 million euros, according to CREA.

In August, Russia's seaborne oil product exports decreased by 21% in volume, and revenues from products delivered to destination ports fell by 32% from July, reaching 78 million euros per day—the lowest since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Oil product loadings at Russian ports have now declined for three consecutive months, falling to less than half of the levels seen in August 2025, CREA reported.

Tuapse, which was Russia's fourth-largest oil product export port prior to the invasion, has not loaded any oil product cargo for three months due to ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes since May.

Ukrainian attacks have also affected crude exports through Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, where crude loadings dropped by 58% month-on-month in August, with operations halted for nine consecutive days—the longest interruption reported since the invasion began, according to CREA.

Overall, Russia's fossil fuel export revenues decreased by 8% in August, amounting to 604 million euros per day, while export volumes fell by 7%.

During this period, India continued to be Russia's second-largest fossil fuel customer, following China.

In August, India imported Russian hydrocarbons worth 4.8 billion euros, with crude oil making up 4.1 billion euros, or 87% of its total purchases, CREA reported.