Key facts
- Russian crude's premium over Brent rose to a record high, Nikkei Asia reported.
- Higher shipping costs have Asian buyers seeking supplies closer to home, the report said.
- The report did not state the size of the premium or the crude grade involved.
Russian crude oil, still the target of international sanctions, was trading at unusually high prices, with its premium over international benchmark Brent rising to a record high, Nikkei Asia reported on November 12, 2026.
The report attributed the move to demand from China and India, and said higher shipping costs had Asian buyers looking for supplies closer to home. It gave no figure for the premium or for the price of the crude.
The report did not name the grade of crude, the pricing basis or the date of the trading it described.