By Nidhi Verma NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian state refiners have started making enquiries with trading firms about purchases of Russia's Urals crude oil as discounts widen, three people with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday,

We've been collating material since first thing following reports that a Russian oil refinery is on fire following an apparent drone strike overnight. Russian local officials say the blaze was caused by falling drone debris. The Ukrainians have yet to comment.

India’s state-owned oil refiners are pulling back from purchases of Russian crude for now, according to people with direct knowledge of the companies’ procurement plans, as Washington ratchets up the pressure on New Delhi over the flows with a wave of harsh tariffs.