---
title: "The Energy Flow Paradox: Russia Starts Buying Gasoline from India, Despite Already Supplying It with Crude Oil"
description: "Russia has started buying gasoline from India, despite already supplying record volumes of crude oil to the country 🛢️🇮🇳. The domestic deficit has reached 25,000 tons per day due to reduced refinery capacities. The state is introducing import subsidies to keep gas station prices in check. 📉🚛"
date: 2026-07-01T12:24:05.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/russia-imports-gasoline-from-india-oil-cycle-paradox
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# The Energy Flow Paradox: Russia Starts Buying Gasoline from India, Despite Already Supplying It with Crude Oil

![Worker in protective gear at a railway station with tank cars, illustrating the logistics of energy carriers and the paradox of oil and gasoline supplies between Russia and India.](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/01/rossiya-import-benzina-iz-indii-krugovorot-nefti/rossiya-import-benzina-iz-indii-krugovorot-nefti-1.webp)

The Russian Federation is facing an unprecedented situation in its domestic energy sector: for the first time in modern history, the country has begun regular maritime imports of automotive gasoline from India. This decision was a forced measure to cover a critical fuel shortage ahead of the peak summer season.

### Scale of Shortage and Structural Crisis

According to international industry sources cited by Reuters, the first batch of gasoline, totaling at least 60,000 tons, has already been dispatched to Russian ports via two tankers. Experts note that the problem is systemic. During the summer period, daily gasoline consumption in Russia traditionally reaches 110,000 tons. However, current production capacities of oil refineries (NPPs) allow for the output of only about 85,000 tons per day.

The gap between supply and demand amounts to approximately 25,000 tons daily, which is equivalent to 20–25% of the economy's total needs. To stabilize the situation, relevant authorities have developed an aggressive import plan, providing for the purchase of around 400,000 tons of fuel monthly from various sources.

### Import Strategy: From Neighbors to India

To compensate for the lack of resources, Russia has deployed a multi-vector supply strategy:

- **Republic of Belarus:** In the first half of June 2026, railway shipments of gasoline increased almost threefold, exceeding 70,000 tons. Monthly supplies are expected to range from 100,000 to 150,000 tons.

- **Republic of Kazakhstan:** Negotiations are underway for contracts to supply up to 50,000 tons of fuel.

- **Republic of India:** Has become a key supplier to cover the remaining deficit via maritime tanker shipments.

### Economic Paradox: The Fuel Cycle

Particular interest lies in the economic specifics of trade with India. In June 2026, imports of crude oil from Russia to New Delhi reached a historic high, hitting 2.7 million barrels per day. This accounts for more than 50% of India's total oil imports. Thus, a closed cycle emerges: Russia supplies crude oil to India, Indian refineries process it into gasoline, and part of this finished fuel returns to Russia to cover the domestic deficit.

### State Reaction and Legislative Measures

To prevent a sharp spike in prices at gas stations and curb inflation, the State Duma of the Russian Federation promptly approved amendments to the Tax Code. A mechanism for targeted budget subsidies for oil companies purchasing fuel outside the EAEU is being introduced.

The amount of compensation from the federal budget is tied to indicative quotes on the Indian market, as well as freight and logistics costs. Furthermore, at the regional level, temporary limits on fuel sales have been introduced in several subjects aimed at preventing speculative demand.