Key facts
- Russia is importing fuel from South Korea and Turkey due to Ukrainian drone strikes.
- Ukraine has attacked Russian energy infrastructure on a near-daily basis.
- Approximately 40% of Russia's oil-refining infrastructure is offline.
- Ukrainian strikes on Novorossiysk port caused the longest export disruption since Russia's invasion.
- The Tuapse port has not loaded oil products for three months following drone strikes.
Russia has been forced to increase its fuel imports from countries including South Korea and Turkey as Ukrainian drone strikes continue to disrupt its domestic refining capacity and export operations, according to a report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
Media reports in August indicated that Russia was importing gasoline from India for the first time. The CREA report, published September 11, 2026, notes that Moscow has also turned to South Korea and Turkey for fuel supplies, with the first cargoes from Turkey arriving in September 2026.
Russia's oil imports surged to 172,000 metric tons in August, more than seven times the previous monthly high. The report highlights that Russia is buying back gasoline refined from its own crude in India, shipping it halfway around the world using the same fleet that carries its exports.
Ukrainian strikes on Russia's energy industry have significantly impacted its refining capabilities. The report states that attacks on the port at Novorossiysk interrupted exports for nine consecutive days, the longest disruption since Russia's full-scale invasion began. The oil-export port at Tuapse has not loaded any oil products for three consecutive months after being struck by drones in May.
Despite approximately 40% of Russia's oil-refining infrastructure being offline, Ukrainian military intelligence estimates that Russia can sustain its war efforts through 2028.