Russia forced to import gasoline and diesel from India

Russia has begun importing gasoline and diesel from India, the country to which it sells crude oil. Ukrainian strikes are reported to have destroyed around 40% of Russia's refining capacity. According to Reuters, 60,000 tonnes of petroleum products were delivered by India to Russia in early July. Belarus is also being called on and is said to have sold Russia 184,000 tonnes of petroleum products in June. The government has authorised looser fuel-quality requirements and taken steps to streamline logistics. Russian filling stations now charge prices close to European levels and domestic demand has fallen, allowing regional authorities to lift the restrictions they had imposed. The situation nonetheless remains critical in many provinces, with waits of several hours to fill up.