New Delhi, March 14 -- Imports of Russian crude by India and China rose sharply in the first week of March as Middle East supply disruptions redirected demand toward alternative sources, according to S&P Global's Commodities at Sea (CAS).

Deliveries of Russian crude to its three main buyers - India, China and Turkey - rose to 21.7 million barrels in the week ending March 10, from 20.1 million barrels the previous week.

China recorded the largest increase, importing 12.4 million barrels (up from 10.3 million), while India imported 8.6 million barrels, up 200,000 barrels to a three-week high. Turkey received 700,000 barrels at its Aliaga port, the lowest level in two months.

The rise follows supply disruptions in the Middle East Gulf and...