India imported five million barrels of Russian crude oil over two days, despite US and EU pressure not to, reports Mumbai's Times Now.

The shipments, comprising Urals and Varandey grade crude, were delivered by Aframax-class tankers including Achilles, Elyte, Horae, Mikati, Minion and Destan. Offloading took place at Sikka, Mundra, Kochi and Mangalore ports.

The oil was destined for both private refiners - Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy - and state-owned firms including Indian Oil Corporation, HPCL-Mittal Energy, Bharat Petroleum and ONGC.

Bloomberg reported that Achilles, Elyte and Horae discharged 2.2 million barrels of Urals crude to Reliance and Nayara. Mikati delivered 720,000 barrels of Varandey crude to Kochi and Mangalore refineries.

Despite a 25 per cent tariff imposed by the US on Indian exports and EU sanctions targeting Nayara Energy, India has not issued any directive to curtail Russian oil purchases. MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India's commitment to strategic autonomy.

Industry officials confirmed that procurement decisions remain unchanged. IOC chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney said refiners are neither encouraged nor discouraged from buying Russian crude. BPCL's finance director noted that Russian imports are expected to remain at 30-35 per cent of total intake.

Analysts say August cargoes were booked in June and July, before recent policy shifts. Any changes in trade flows are likely to appear from late September onwards.