Between July 19 and August 10, seven South Korean tankers ferried diesel from Ulsan and other eastern ports to Vladivostok. Three of the vessels—Layla, Astoria, and Chongchon—were flagged under UK and EU sanctions, yet sailed under alternative itineraries, with Layla even declaring a Japanese port as its destination on its second trip.
The shipments come as Moscow’s refinery output has collapsed after Ukrainian drone attacks, forcing the Kremlin to import fuel to keep its war machine running. IEA data shows Russian diesel production fell 30 % in June, and the country imported 368,000 tonnes of oil products by sea in August, a seven‑fold jump over July.
Seoul has publicly pledged $2.3 bn in aid to Ukraine, including helmets and de‑mining vehicles, while keeping its export controls tight on weapons. In a statement, the foreign ministry said it supports international efforts to end the war but also maintains "responsible trade relationships" with Russia, a stance that has drawn scrutiny from Western allies.
The UK’s Treasury has opened a review of sanctions compliance after the discovery that three UK‑sanctioned tankers bypassed restrictions. The review is expected to culminate in new guidance for shipping companies by the end of September, potentially tightening monitoring of vessel itineraries and cargo origins.
At the Ulsan port, a senior logistics officer told reporters that the cargo loadings had spiked after President Lee Jae‑Myung announced a $100 m reconstruction grant for Ukraine, a move that coincided with the surge in fuel shipments. The officer added that the port’s compliance team had been working overtime to reconcile import records with sanction lists.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian refugees in Moscow report that the lack of domestic fuel has forced the government to ration diesel for critical services, a development that could further strain Moscow’s relations with the West. The government has already appealed to the UN for assistance in securing alternative fuel sources.