Russia has become Syria's main oil supplier, according to Reuters
Russia has become Syria’s main oil supplier. Supplies have surged and now cover a significant portion of the country’s needs. This was reported by Reuters.
Russia has sharply increased oil supplies to Syria and has effectively become its main partner in this sector. According to analysts, volumes rose by approximately 75% in 2026—to 60,000 barrels per day. These figures are small for Russia itself, but critically important for Syria. The country simply does not have sufficient domestic production. The largest field, Al-Omar, yields only about 5,000 barrels per day, and total production in 2025 is approximately 35,000 barrels. By comparison, before the war, Syria produced up to 350,000 barrels daily.
Demand, however, is significantly higher—ranging from 120,000 to 150,000 barrels per day. Part of the shortfall is covered by smuggling from Lebanon, amounting to another 50,000 barrels. But the country cannot cope without official supplies. In 2025, Russia was already actively supplying oil—19 shipments totaling 16.8 million barrels. The shipments are carried out by tankers, which are often subject to Western sanctions.
Previously, Iran was the main supplier. But after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024, these supplies ceased, and Russia quickly filled this niche. In Syria itself, officials acknowledge that they are trying to find alternatives. “We wanted to conclude an agreement with Turkey, but it didn’t work out,” said a representative of the state oil company.
Experts say that such cooperation is beneficial to both sides but carries risks. For Syria, it is a matter of economic survival; for Russia, it is a way to consolidate its influence in a country where it already has military bases. “This trade is the result of economic necessity for Damascus and, at the same time, a tool of influence for Moscow,” analysts note.
However, there is a downside. Syrian economist Karam Shaara warns: “Dependence on such supplies makes the energy sector vulnerable, especially if the West tightens sanctions again.”
Thus, Syria is gradually falling into a new energy dependency—now on Russia, which is using this as yet another lever in regional politics.
Russia is organizing coordinated actions near Ukrainian embassies in various countries, disguising them as “commemorations of the victims of May 2 in Odesa.” Ukrainian analysts say this is part of an annual propaganda campaign, which is being intensified and expanded this time.
