Russia Turns to Indian Refineries to Plug Domestic Fuel Shortages

The supply chain for this gasoline was circuitous, involving a transshipment in Egypt to move the product from a Russian-flagged tanker to an Omani carrier. According to Kpler lead analyst Sumit Ritolia, the arrival of Indian barrels serves as a clear indicator of a severe domestic petrol imbalance. Lower refinery output has forced the country to recalibrate its traditional trade flows to prevent further shortages.

Data from EA Analytics indicates that Russian refinery runs dipped to 3.6 million barrels per day in July, a figure more than 30% below seasonal averages. This decline stems from a combination of targeted drone attacks on key facilities and the logistical challenges of maintaining processing capacity. While seaborne crude exports have fluctuated—falling to their lowest level since May last month—the domestic market remains under pressure. In response to the tightening supply, Moscow has extended its ban on diesel exports through the end of the year, attempting to prioritize internal stability over international sales.