India's Russian Oil Imports to Rebound in January Despite US Sanctions: Kpler

• India's import of Russian crude oil is expected to remain resilient in January, with Kpler projecting 1.3 million barrels per day (mbd) despite proposed US sanctions.
• The US's proposed "Russia sanctions Bill" includes 500% tariffs on countries buying crude from Russia, but Kpler analysts believe this will shift procurement rather than cause overnight shortages.
• Russian crude imports fell to 1.2 mbd in December 2025 from 1.84 mbd in November due to new US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, but this is seen as a short-term adjustment.
• Russian barrels remain economically competitive and well-suited for India's refining system, with trade shifting to non-designated intermediaries to circumvent sanctions.
• India's crude import strategy for 2026 will remain diversified, balancing affordability, supply security, and geopolitical risk, with Middle Eastern, Latin American, and US barrels acting as buffers.

Why It Matters: India's Russian oil imports are set to recover in January, leveraging intermediaries despite US sanctions.