Recent analysis of maritime data suggests that South Korea has become a source of fuel shipments to Russia, despite Seoul’s public support for Ukraine. Between July and August, approximately 176,000 tonnes of fuel—primarily diesel—were loaded onto seven tankers at various South Korean ports. These vessels subsequently completed 14 voyages to Russia’s far eastern region.

According to the data, the logistics of these shipments involve methods often used to bypass international scrutiny. Specifically, one vessel reportedly conducted a ship-to-ship transfer within South Korean waters, a practice frequently associated with obscuring the origin or destination of cargo. Furthermore, the analysis identified that three of the seven tankers involved in these operations are currently subject to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Experts cited in the report suggest that these shipments complicate South Korea's diplomatic stance, as they appear to contradict the nation's stated policy of backing Kyiv. While the report details the movement of the fuel and the status of the tankers, it does not provide a response from the South Korean government or the specific companies involved in the transactions. The findings highlight the ongoing challenges in enforcing international sanctions against Russia as the war in Ukraine continues to impact global energy supply chains.