India's imports of Russian crude oil reached a historic high of 2.6 million barrels per day in June 2026, accounting for 54% of the country's total crude intake for the month, according to Oilprice. Total Indian crude imports in June hit 5 million barrels per day, itself a record monthly level. The Russian share represents more than double the volumes recorded in February 2026, marking a substantial acceleration in Russian-Indian energy trade.
The surge in Russian crude purchases has occurred against a backdrop of sustained U.S. sanctions pressure on Russian oil exports, with India's state refiners continuing to absorb discounted Russian barrels. Russian crude has grown from a marginal supply source to the single largest origin of India's crude imports within a relatively short period.
Brent crude and WTI are the global benchmark contracts against which Russian Urals crude is priced at a discount; the scale of India's Russian intake — now more than half of total imports — directly affects the volume of Russian barrels competing against other grades in the Asian market.
No official response from U.S. authorities or Indian government ministries regarding the June import figures had been reported in the cluster sources at time of publication.
Sources: Oilprice, Bloomberg Markets