Russia starts importing fuel from India amid major shortage, Reuters reports
Photo: India shipped 60,000 metric tons of gasoline to Russia (Getty Images)
Russia has begun importing gasoline by sea from India to ease the impact of fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes on its energy infrastructure, according to Reuters.
The agency notes that due to fuel shortages in Russia, rationing has been introduced, long queues have formed at filling stations, and gasoline prices have risen to record levels.
On June 30, Russia said it was maintaining contacts with other countries and discussing fuel imports at acceptable prices.
An industry source said that at least 60,000 metric tons of gasoline had been shipped from India to Russia. Another source said two tankers were sent, each carrying between 30,000 and 40,000 tons.
A third source said Russia is planning to import a total of 400,000 tons of gasoline per month from various countries, including neighboring Belarus, which is already exporting fuel to Russia.
It is noted that gasoline consumption in Russia is at least 110,000 tons per day in summer, when demand is high. Reuters added that it is currently unknown which Indian refinery company will supply gasoline to Russia.
Russia’s fuel market has faced serious difficulties following a series of Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries. Against this backdrop, gasoline prices in the country have recorded their sharpest increase in 20 years.
Due to fuel shortages, several regions of Russia have already introduced restrictions on fuel sales, including the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, which accounts for around 40% of the country’s oil production.
To partially compensate for the shortfall, Russia has asked Kazakhstan to supply 50,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline. The Russian authorities have also officially authorized fuel imports to cover domestic demand.
