Fuel is being shipped from South Korea to Russia via sanctioned tankers as Moscow seeks supplies amid the war in Ukraine, according to a Guardian analysis that found over 176,000 tonnes of fuel loaded at South Korean ports in July and August.
Fuel is being shipped from South Korea to Russia via sanctioned tankers as Moscow scrambles for supplies amid the war in Ukraine, according to an analysis by the Guardian. The outlet described the move as one that an expert said “undermines” Seoul’s public backing for Kyiv.
The Guardian said its analysis of port records and ship-tracking data found that in July and August more than 176,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel, was loaded at several South Korean ports.
That fuel was placed onto seven tankers which, according to the Guardian, made 14 voyages to Russia’s far east over the two-month period.
Some of those tankers were sanctioned vessels, the Guardian reported, raising questions about how the shipments fit with South Korea’s stated support for Ukraine.
One expert cited by the Guardian said the shipments “undermine” Seoul’s public position of backing Kyiv, highlighting a gap between official statements and the movement of fuel to Russian ports.
The findings come as Russia continues to seek supplies while the war in Ukraine grinds on, the Guardian said in its exclusive report.
Why it matters
The shipments point to a potential disconnect between South Korea's public support for Ukraine and the flow of fuel to Russia during the war. The use of sanctioned tankers also raises broader questions about how effectively international sanctions are being enforced.