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  "path": "/opinion/166095-russia-central-asia/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-06T12:52:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://english.pravda.ru",
  "tags": [
    "Opinion"
  ],
  "textContent": "Russia's readiness to divert additional crude and liquefied natural gas to India-reportedly with around 9.5 million barrels of Russian oil already on vessels near Indian waters – has emerged as a striking signal amid the latest Middle East escalation. Russian officials and industry sources say Moscow could raise its share of India's crude imports to as much as 40%, if necessary, to offset disruptions in the Gulf. For New Delhi, the message from Moscow is simple: even as Gulf supply routes tremble, Russia is prepared to keep energy flowing.\nThe reassurance comes at a moment when the global energy map is once again being redrawn by conflict. Military strikes across West Asia have shaken some of the world's most sensitive energy corridors, most notably the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 40% of India's crude imports and nearly a fifth of global oil trade pass every day. Tanker traffic has slowed, insurance costs have surged, and fears of supply shortages are rippling across markets from Asia to Europe. Brent crude has already climbed close to $85 per barrel, while European natural gas prices have already jumped around 40% amid disruptions to key energy facilities.\nAmong the most dramatic incidents was the temporary shutdown of Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura complex following a drone strike. Located on the kingdom's Gulf coast, Ras Tanura hosts one of the Middle East's largest refineries, with a capacity of roughly 550,000 barrels per day, and functions as a critical export terminal for Saudi crude. Though officials described the closure as precautionary and said the situation was under control, the attack carried powerful symbolic weight. It underscored how even heavily fortified infrastructure in the Gulf remains vulnerable in a widening conflict.",
  "title": "Why Russia Is Central to Asia’s Energy Security Amid Gulf Turmoil"
}