Almost five million barrels of Russia's Sokol grade crude has failed to reach Indian refiners over the past four weeks, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.
US sanctions on tankers carrying Russian crude in breach of a price cap imposed by the Group of Seven (G7) nations might be part of the cause, the report said, without citing any sources.
Reuters reported in November that three oil tankers, at that time newly sanctioned by Washington, regularly shipped Russian Sokol crude to India, citing ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler.
India, the world's third-biggest importer and consumer of oil, has boosted purchases of Russian oil sold at a discount after imports from Russia were shunned by some Western countries following its invasion of Ukraine last year.
Citing tanker tracking data, the Bloomberg report said the NS Century has remained south of Sri Lanka since the US Tresury imposed sanctions on it, and it has been joined by two other Sovcomflot tankers, also bound for India's Vadinar port with Sokol crude.
Russian state-owned Sovcomflot (SCF) is subject to sanctions and other restrictions by the UK and the European Union, while Washington had restricted its financial activities.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Ajit Doval Meets Top Russian Diplomat On Sidelines Of BRICS Conclave Western Powers Accuse Iran Of Escalating Russia Ukraine Conflict US, UK Spy Chiefs Make 1st Appearance Together Amid Gaza, Ukraine Crises AAP's Atishi To Be Delhi's New Chief Minister, Chosen By Arvind Kejriwal Kolkata Horror: Top Court's Tough Questions As CBI Claims CCTV Footage Gaps "Your Duty...": Chief Justice On Bengal's 'No Night Shift For Women' Note Wholesale Inflation Falls For Second Month In A Row To 1.31% In August Vishwakarma Puja: Wishes, Messages And Greetings To Share With Loved Ones Confused On What Flour Is The Best For Rotis? Read On To Find Out Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.