Energy analytics firm Kpler cautioned that Indian refiners have the technical capacity to operate without Russian crude but replacing it could lead to significant economic and strategic drawbacks. The transition away from Russian oil, which constitutes a large part of India’s refinery intake, may result in increased feedstock costs, higher freight charges, and challenges in aligning product yields. This move could impact refining margins, alter product output, and escalate annual crude import expenses by billions of dollars. The report highlights the complexities involved in the potential shift and the implications on India’s energy markets and trade flows.