Russia has turned to India for gasoline as it struggles with a growing fuel shortage following repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on its energy facilities. The shortage has spread across the country's 11 time zones and has led to fuel rationing and long queues at petrol stations. The situation has pushed Moscow to look for fuel imports from friendly countries to meet domestic demand.

According to Reuters, Russia has started importing gasoline from India to ease the ongoing supply crisis. Two industry officials familiar with the matter told the news agency that India has already dispatched 60,000 metric tons of gasoline to Russia. Sources also said that two tankers carrying parcels of 30,000 to 40,000 metric tons each have been sent.

The fuel shortage has become serious enough for Russian President Vladimir Putin to publicly acknowledge the problem. Speaking about the situation, Putin said, “Problems persist for both motorists and businesses,” and “There are still queues at petrol stations, and finding the right grade of petrol isn’t always easy.”

Ukraine also highlighted the fuel crisis in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the shortage in a statement posted on Telegram. He said, “Putin can go on and on, claiming on TV that he supposedly has everything under control." He further added that Russians can see that the war “has reached the point where even an oil state -- a gas station, as Russia used to be called -- is now facing gas shortages.”

Reuters reported that Russia plans to increase fuel imports in the coming months. Sources familiar with the matter said Moscow aims to import around 400,000 metric tons of gasoline every month from several countries. Belarus has already started exporting fuel to Russia as part of these efforts. The Kremlin has also confirmed that it will approach its allies to secure additional fuel supplies.

The Russian energy ministry has not yet issued an official statement on the reported gasoline imports from India. India's oil ministry has also not commented on the development.

India and Russia have maintained strong trade ties in crude oil and petroleum products for many years. Their energy partnership came under international attention after US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on India over its purchase of Russian oil. Trump accused New Delhi of "fuelling Putin's war in Ukraine."

However, the situation changed after disruptions affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. India was later allowed to resume oil trade with Russia despite the earlier tariff announcement.

India's purchases of Russian crude oil have continued to grow. Data from LSEG and Kpler showed that Russian oil accounted for a record share of India's crude imports in June 2026. The share increased from the previous record of 36.5 per cent recorded in May 2026.

The latest gasoline shipments highlight the growing energy cooperation between the two countries at a time when Russia is dealing with pressure on its fuel infrastructure. Ukrainian attacks have disrupted supplies within Russia and forced Moscow to seek support from its international partners. While India has reportedly supplied the first shipments, Russia is expected to continue importing fuel from multiple allied nations to address the shortage and stabilise domestic fuel availability.