India’s Russian oil imports surged to a record high in June as refiners increased purchases from Moscow to offset disruptions in Middle Eastern supply routes caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian refiners received about 2.70 million barrels per day of Russian oil in June, according to preliminary ship-tracking data from LSEG and Kpler cited by Reuters. The figure marked a sharp jump from May, when Kpler estimated India’s Russian oil imports at 2.13 million bpd, while LSEG put the number at 1.95 million bpd.
The surge means Russian crude oil accounted for more than half of India’s total crude imports in June, up from 36.5 percent in May. Total crude imports by India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, were nearly flat at around 4.9 million bpd, with Russia remaining the country’s largest supplier.
India’s Russian Oil Imports Rise as Refiners Seek Secure Supply
The latest rise in India’s Russian oil imports reflects a practical response by Indian refiners to a difficult supply environment. With the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, refiners turned more heavily toward Russian barrels to protect refinery runs and maintain domestic fuel supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, linking Gulf producers with Asian and global markets. Reuters reported that the conflict involving Iran led to the effective closure of the waterway, which previously handled about a fifth of global crude and refined product flows. Tanker movements have remained well below pre-war levels despite a ceasefire framework, keeping uncertainty high for Asian buyers.
For India, the disruption is especially serious because Middle Eastern producers have historically supplied a large share of its crude. When those flows became less predictable, Russian oil offered refiners an available alternative, helped by established trading channels and price competitiveness.
Russian Crude Extends Its Dominance in India’s Oil Basket
Russian crude has dominated India’s oil basket since 2022-23, after Western buyers reduced purchases from Moscow following Russia’s war in Ukraine and Indian refiners stepped in to buy discounted barrels. That shift changed India’s crude-sourcing strategy, reducing its earlier dependence on Middle Eastern supplies and making Russia a central part of the country’s energy security calculations.
The June data shows how deep that shift has become. Russian oil is no longer a marginal opportunistic purchase for India. It has become a major supply pillar, especially during moments of disruption elsewhere.
A Reuters energy market column published earlier in June had already projected Russian crude arrivals in India at a record 2.55 million bpd for the month, up from 2.13 million bpd in May. That estimate placed Russia’s share of India’s total crude imports at just under 50 percent, sharply above the average 23 percent share recorded in the three months before the Iran conflict began.
The latest Reuters report suggests the actual June figure climbed even higher.
Middle East Disruption Reshapes India Crude Imports
The sharp rise in Russian purchases does not mean India has abandoned Middle Eastern suppliers. In May, India’s crude imports from the United Arab Emirates rose to a multi-year high, making the UAE the country’s second-largest oil supplier after Russia. Reuters reported that India’s overall crude imports rose 15.4 percent in May to 5.27 million bpd, with Russian supply also rising to about 1.92 million bpd that month.
However, the Hormuz disruption has forced refiners to adjust quickly. Earlier Middle Eastern contractual flows were affected by the partial closure of the strait, while refiners also explored alternative cargoes from Russia, Venezuela, Angola and other sources.
The result is a more flexible but more complicated import strategy. India is trying to keep refineries supplied, avoid fuel shortages and manage price volatility, while also navigating sanctions, shipping risk and geopolitical pressure.
Energy Security Comes Before Diplomatic Comfort
India’s record Russian oil imports will again draw international attention because the purchases sit at the intersection of energy security, sanctions policy and geopolitics.
Western governments have repeatedly tried to limit Moscow’s oil revenues since the invasion of Ukraine. India, however, has maintained that its priority is to secure affordable energy for its domestic market. With more than a billion consumers, rising fuel demand and a large refining sector, New Delhi has been reluctant to give up discounted supply unless viable alternatives are available.
The latest June figures strengthen that argument from India’s perspective. When Gulf supplies became less reliable, Russian barrels helped refiners maintain flows. But they also deepen India’s exposure to Russian supply at a time when future sanctions enforcement and diplomatic pressure remain uncertain.
What the Record Imports Mean for Oil Markets
The June record highlights how quickly global oil trade can reroute under pressure. Russia has found a major buyer in India, while India has used Russian crude to reduce its vulnerability to Middle East disruption.
This does not eliminate risk. If Middle East flows recover, Indian refiners may rebalance purchases toward Gulf producers under long-term contracts. If sanctions pressure on Russian oil increases, India may again have to diversify more aggressively. If the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable, Russian crude could retain an even larger role in India’s oil basket.
For now, the message from the data is clear: India’s Russian oil imports have reached a new high because Indian refiners are prioritising supply security in a disrupted market. The record June volume shows not only the scale of India’s dependence on imported crude, but also the growing role Russia plays in keeping the country’s refining system supplied during global energy shocks.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 1, 2026
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