Russia imports Indian gasoline amid refinery strikes

Russia has begun importing gasoline from India for the first time, according to Kpler data, as Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries have caused severe domestic fuel shortages. The first shipment, loaded by the Russian-flagged tanker Cyclone at Nayara Energy's Vadinar refinery on June 18, was transferred to the Oman-flagged Garnet at Damietta Port in Egypt on July 6 and reached Russia in early August. Additional cargoes from Nayara, backed by Rosneft, are likely following the same route via ship-to-ship transfers off Egypt. Russia's crude-processing rates in July were about one-third below seasonal norms, according to EA Analytics, and Ukraine has intensified attacks, hitting five processors last week and at least two more this week. Moscow has banned gasoline and diesel exports to prioritize domestic consumers and has increased imports from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Morocco. The tankers involved are largely Russian-flagged and sanctioned by the EU, with some also targeted by the US. The situation highlights the reversal of Russia's traditional role as a fuel exporter and the growing interdependence between India and Russia in energy trade.