The Guardian: South Korea Ships Fuel to Russia via Sanctioned Tankers

Fuel from South Korea is flowing to Russia via sanctioned tankers as Moscow works to maintain its supplies during the ongoing war in Ukraine, a trade dynamic that risks straining Seoul’s diplomatic standing with Western allies, The Guardian reported on October 6, 2026. Maritime analytics and port records show that in July and August, more than 176,000 tonnes of fuel—primarily diesel—were loaded at South Korean ports onto vessels making multiple voyages to Russia’s far east.

The shipments highlight a widening gap between South Korea’s official diplomatic support for Kyiv and the commercial realities of its maritime trade networks. While Seoul has provided humanitarian aid and non-lethal military supplies, domestic laws do not currently bar fuel shipments to Russia, leaving vessels free to operate even as their movements complicate Western economic pressure campaigns.

Port Records And Ship-Tracking Data Reveal 14 Voyages to Russia

Analysis of port records and ship-tracking data conducted by The Guardian revealed that seven tankers carried over 176,000 tonnes of fuel from South Korean ports to Russia’s far east across 14 separate voyages in July and August. Three of the ships involved were already operating under active sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United Kingdom. One vessel acquired its cargo through a ship-to-ship transfer directly in South Korean waters, a practice designed to obscure the origin of the fuel and bypass port terminal inspections.

The largest carrier in the operation, the sanctioned tanker Layla, completed two voyages hauling a combined 57,000 tonnes of diesel from the south-eastern port of Ulsan to Vladivostok. Shipping records show the vessel listed Vladivostok as its destination on its first departure in July, but declared Niigata, Japan, for its August trip. Another sanctioned ship, the Russian-flagged Astoria—also penalized by Australia—loaded nearly 11,000 tonnes of fuel in Ulsan on August 1 while declaring Japan as its destination before sailing straight to Vladivostok. A third sanctioned vessel, the Chongchon, never docked at a port terminal; instead, it took on roughly 26,000 tonnes of fuel via a ship-to-ship transfer with the unsanctioned tanker Celeste I at an anchorage near Yeosu.

According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, the fuel buyers included state-controlled energy giant Rosneft and the Russian oil group NNK. Both entities are subject to Western sanctions. By August, Russia’s total sea-borne imports of oil products reached 368,000 tonnes, marking a sevenfold increase from the prior month and the highest monthly volume recorded since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. South Korea supplied 112,000 tonnes of that total—accounting for 31% of the imports and ranking second only to India.

Ukrainian Infrastructure Strikes Drive Moscow Fuel Scramble

The surge in Russian fuel imports directly follows intensive, long-range Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russia’s domestic oil refining network. Ukrainian military intelligence and defense officials estimate more than 51% of Russia’s total oil refining capacity has been disabled by systematic aerial attacks over the past two years. According to the International Energy Agency, Russian refinery throughput fell in June to its lowest level in two decades, pushing diesel output down by nearly 30% compared to the previous year and forcing Moscow to source refined products abroad.

The Guardian noted that the fuel loadings at South Korean ports accelerated sharply in July. That same month, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pledged $100 million for Ukraine’s reconstruction during a NATO summit in Turkey. The shipments do not violate South Korean legislation, as Seoul’s current sanctions framework focuses primarily on restricting the export of industrial machinery, electronics, and vehicles rather than energy commodities.

Isaac Levi, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), described the trade as alarming. It is shocking that EU-sanctioned tankers loaded fuel at South Korean ports and carried it to Russia, Levi said, adding that the activity undermines the sanctions regime and South Korea’s support for Ukraine. The owners and managers of the four primary tankers involved in the trade did not respond to requests for comment.

When contacted regarding the shipments and the presence of sanctioned vessels, South Korea’s foreign ministry did not address the specific voyages. In an official statement, the ministry maintained that as a responsible member of the international community, the government supports and actively participates in international efforts to end the war in Ukraine and foster a peaceful recovery. The ministry emphasized that it has expanded export controls beyond strategic goods to cover 1,402 non-strategic items with high potential for military diversion under the Foreign Trade Act.

Meanwhile, bilateral tensions between Seoul and Kyiv have risen following a late September address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly, which included details regarding the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. In response, President Lee warned of potential measures should Kyiv fail to address the diplomatic friction.

UK and South Korea Face Gaps in Sanctions Monitoring

South Korean port records do not indicate who owned or sold the fuel loaded onto the tankers. The British Foreign Office did not answer specific questions concerning whether UK-sanctioned vessels utilizing South Korean ports had been formally raised with Seoul, though a spokesperson affirmed the UK's commitment to monitoring sanctions and reducing revenues funding the conflict.