Asian economies are increasingly turning to Russian crude to offset supply disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, with countries such as the Philippines and South Korea securing fresh shipments.
India is facing one of its worst LPG supply disruptions in recent years as global energy markets tighten amid geopolitical uncertainty.
The US has eased some sanctions on Russian oil to prevent crude prices from breaching $150 per barrel, a level that could potentially trigger a global recession.
Major Asian economies are bearing the brunt of the ongoing West Asia conflict, with India facing one of the worst LPG supply disruptions in recent decades, while several regional peers are increasingly turning to Russian oil to fill the vacuum created by reduced Iranian and West Asian energy supplies.
According to a Bloomberg report, the Philippines recently received its first cargo of ESPO crude in nearly six years, signalling a shift in sourcing strategies amid tightening global supplies. South Korea has also purchased its first Russian naphtha shipment, with the cargo arriving at Daesan port and currently awaiting discharge, according to ship-tracking data. Smaller economies, including Sri Lanka, are reportedly in talks with Moscow to secure energy shipments as supply concerns intensify.
2 March 2026
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It is important to note that following the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, the US and several Western nations imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow’s energy exports. Despite these restrictions, India and China emerged as key buyers of Russian crude from 2022 onwards, taking advantage of discounted prices offered by Moscow to maintain stable energy supplies and manage inflationary pressures.
However, the escalation of tensions in West Asia has sharply pushed up global crude prices, prompting the US to ease certain sanctions on Russian oil in order to prevent prices from breaching the psychologically significant $150 per barrel level.
A surge of that magnitude could potentially trigger a global economic slowdown or even a recession, given the widespread impact of energy costs on inflation, industrial production, and consumer spending.
Amid rising demand and persistent supply-side constraints, Russian crude is now increasingly being sold at a premium, reflecting tightening availability in global markets. According to the report, several Asian countries are actively tapping into the Russian supply that has re-emerged in the market.
However, uncertainty remains over whether South Korean refiners will be able to secure additional Russian crude and naphtha shipments, as cargo unloading and payment processes must be completed before April 11, when the temporary US sanctions waiver is set to expire.
The report added that other major economies such as Japan are also exploring the possibility of increasing imports of Russian crude as the West Asia conflict shows little sign of de-escalation. Tokyo already imports liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, highlighting existing energy ties between the two nations.
