In July and August 2024, more than 176,000 tonnes of fuel – primarily diesel – were loaded at several South Korean ports and shipped to Russian ports in the Far East, according to an exclusive analysis by The Guardian.
The investigation examined port records and ship‑tracking data and identified seven tankers that completed 14 voyages from South Korea to Russia during the two‑month period. All of the cargoes were destined for Russian ports, adding to the flow of petroleum products that Moscow has been seeking amid international sanctions.
“It undermines Seoul’s public backing for Kyiv,” said an unnamed expert cited by the analysis.
The shipments occurred while Russia’s war in Ukraine has tightened Western sanctions on its energy sector, prompting Moscow to look for alternative supply routes. The use of tankers that are themselves subject to sanctions raises questions about the effectiveness of export controls.
South Korea, a close U.S. ally, has publicly supported Ukraine, and the discovery of sanctioned vessels delivering fuel to Russia could strain diplomatic relations and prompt further scrutiny of South Korean export oversight.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
