Oil is being shipped from South Korea to Russia using sanctioned tankers, as Moscow seeks supplies amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. An analysis by the Guardian reveals that over 176,000 tonnes of fuel, primarily diesel, was loaded at several South Korean ports onto seven tankers that made 14 voyages to Russia's far east in July and August.

Key Findings

  • Three of the vessels involved are under sanctions from the UK and EU.
  • One tanker utilized a ship-to-ship transfer in South Korean waters, a method that obscures the cargo's origin.

Isaac Levi, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), stated, "It is shocking that EU-sanctioned tankers loaded fuel at South Korean ports and carried it to Russia. This undermines the sanctions regime and South Korea’s support for Ukraine."

South Korea's Support for Ukraine

Despite sending humanitarian aid and non-lethal military supplies to Ukraine, including $2.3 billion in support for 2023, South Korea has been cautious about sending weapons directly to Ukraine. The country aims to balance its support for Ukraine with improving ties with Russia, which has expressed interest in restoring trade relations.

Sanctioned Tankers and Fuel Shipments

The shipments from South Korea risk portraying Seoul as a weak link in the western efforts to pressure Russia. Notably, the largest carrier, the sanctioned Layla, made two voyages from the southeastern port of Ulsan to Vladivostok, carrying 57,000 tonnes of diesel. On its first trip, it declared Vladivostok as its destination, but on the second, it claimed to be bound for Niigata in Japan.