Ukraine claims South Korea petroleum exports aid Russia

Ukraine has accused South Korea of facilitating the delivery of petroleum products to Russia, claiming these shipments helped Moscow mitigate fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on domestic refineries. According to data cited by The Guardian, approximately 176,000 tons of fuel, primarily diesel, were transported from South Korean ports to the Russian Far East during July and August. The shipments were completed via 14 voyages using seven tankers, three of which are currently under sanctions by the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that these deliveries directly contradict the sanctions policy established by Seoul against Moscow. Data from tracking firms Kpler and Vortexa corroborates these movements, noting that as early as late July, significant volumes of refined fuel were being redirected. The ongoing energy infrastructure conflict has led Russia to seek alternative supply routes, and these findings highlight the complexities of enforcing global sanctions against the Russian energy sector.