India's fuel exports to Russia surge to 70% even as crude imports fall 24%

India supplied around 70% of Russia's oil-product imports in August, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

In Short

• India became Russia's top supplier of oil products in August
• Indian imports of Russian crude oil dropped 24% from July
• India remained second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels

India has emerged as Russia’s biggest supplier of oil products at a time when Ukrainian drone strikes have disrupted parts of Russia’s energy infrastructure. At the same time, India’s imports of Russian crude oil fell sharply in August after hitting record levels in the previous two months.

India supplied around 70% of Russia’s oil-product imports in August, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). It exported around 120,000 tonnes of petrol worth 78 million euros during the month.

INDIA REMAINS A MAJOR BUYER OF RUSSIAN ENERGY

While India increased its role as a supplier of refined fuel, it remained one of the biggest buyers of Russian fossil fuels.

India was the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in August, importing hydrocarbons worth 4.8 billion euros. Crude oil made up the bulk of these purchases at 4.1 billion euros, accounting for 87% of the total.

Coal imports stood at 379 million euros, while oil products were worth 258 million euros, CREA said.

India’s Russian crude imports fell 24% in August from July’s record level. The decline came after two consecutive months of unusually high imports.

Despite the overall fall, imports at some of India’s largest Russian crude-buying refineries remained high.

Imports at the Jamnagar refinery fell 15% month-on-month, while Vadinar refinery imports rose 5%. Paradip refinery imports increased marginally by 1%.

However, the IndianOil Vadinar SMPL installation recorded a sharper decline, importing 48% less Russian crude in August than in July.

Imports at smaller facilities, including the HMEL Mundra Oil Terminal, also fell 34% during the month.

RUSSIA TURNS TO INDIA FOR REFINED FUEL

The shift comes as Russia faces pressure on its domestic refining and energy infrastructure following Ukrainian drone strikes.

To meet domestic fuel shortages, Russia has increasingly turned to imported refined products, particularly from countries such as India. Some of these products are made using Russian crude.

Russia imported around 172,000 tonnes of oil products worth 114 million euros (131.84 million dollars) in August, according to CREA.

Further, Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery has emerged as an important part of this trade. Russian oil giant Rosneft owns a 49.13% stake in Nayara Energy.

According to CREA, Vadinar sourced 100% of its crude from Russia during the first eight months of 2026, compared with 81% in the same period last year.

CREA said cargoes exported from Vadinar were transferred between vessels through ship-to-ship operations at the Damietta Lightering Zone off Egypt before being sent to Russia’s Arctic port of Beloe More.

The think tank also said one sanctioned tanker was involved in these shipments and claimed that four of the six vessels involved had flown a false flag at some point during the past two years.

INDIA’S RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS FALL TO $4.74 BILLION

India’s Russian crude imports fell 25% in value terms to 4.1 billion euros (4.74 billion dollars) in August, from 5.5 billion euros (6.36 billion dollars) in July.

The decline also comes amid growing pressure on countries buying Russian oil. The US Senate has backed a bill proposing tariffs of up to 100% on Russian crude importers, including India, China and Hungary. The legislation is expected to move to the House of Representatives.

Despite the fall, India remained Russia’s second-largest fossil-fuel buyer in August. China topped the list with imports worth 8.4 billion euros (9.71 billion dollars).

- Ends