New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- Oil prices jumped on Thursday after the United States unveiled sanctions targeting Russia's biggest oil companies, threatening supplies from one of the world's top producing nations.

Brent crude rallied by more than 5% to trade near $66 a barrel, heading for its largest daily leap since the beginning of the Israel-Iran conflict on 13th June.

The US blacklisted Russian oil giants Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, fuelling concern that key purchaser India will withdraw from dealings with Moscow.

Brent is currently rebounding from a five-month low reached on Monday. Futures had also risen on Wednesday amid signs the recent sell-off was overcooked and as US stockpiles shrank.

Rosneft, run by Russian President Vladimir Pu...