Russia is looking for alternative fuel supplies as Ukrainian drone attacks put pressure on its oil refining capacity. In a recent Verslo žinios article, energy expert Petras Katinas examines whether imports from India can ease the strain.
India is among the countries that could provide Russia with additional petroleum products. However, the long maritime route makes these imports significantly more complicated and potentially costly.
Petras Katinas on the Cost of Indian Fuel
Petras Katinas, Research Fellow at RUSI Europe and non-resident Research Fellow at the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), told Verslo žinios that India could help Russia manage shortages in the short term. However, continued attacks on Russian refineries could make this solution increasingly difficult.
Katinas argued that India may be able to help Russia in terms of supply volumes. Yet the economics are less favorable because of the logistics involved in transporting fuel by sea. He described those costs as potentially becoming an economic “knife” for Russia.
Limited Alternatives for Russia
Russia’s options for replacing disrupted domestic fuel supplies are also limited. According to Katinas, few countries beyond India, Kazakhstan, and Belarus have the capacity to provide Russia with the petroleum products it needs.
The situation highlights a broader vulnerability in Russia’s energy sector. Russia remains a major producer and exporter of crude oil. However, disruptions to refining capacity can create domestic supply problems that crude production alone cannot resolve.
Turning to distant suppliers can keep fuel flowing, but at a higher cost. Longer shipping routes and additional logistical requirements could therefore increase the economic pressure created by sustained refinery disruptions.
To explore the full discussion and Petras Katinas’s analysis, read the complete Verslo žinios article, “Energetikos ekspertas: benzino importas iš Indijos Rusijai gali būti ekonominis peilis.” The article examines Russia’s search for alternative fuel supplies and why Indian imports may offer only a costly solution.
Further Reading: Sanctions and Russia’s Energy Sector
For more analysis of sanctions, energy markets, and Russia’s economic response, explore the various sections of the SITE Sanctions Hub web portal. The platform brings together data, research, and expert analysis for researchers, journalists, and policymakers.
