US Russia sanctions bill may disrupt crude supplies to IndiaA US Senate move to advance tougher Russia sanctions could disrupt Russian crude supplies, but immediate changes to oil flows to India and China remain unlikely. A significant restriction on Russian oil could therefore tighten global balances rather than simply redirect existing trade flows. Ritolia said Russian crude has become an important supply hedge for Indian refiners, reducing their exposure to disruptions along traditional Middle Eastern supply routes. Replacing Russian crude at current volumes would be difficult, if not impossible, in the short term, Ritolia said. A rapid curtailment of Russian supplies to India or other Asian buyers could therefore tighten global oil balances and put upward pressure on crude prices.