Since the beginning of summer 2026, South Korea has sent over 176,000 tons of fuel to Russia, mainly diesel. These supplies have become noticeable amid decreasing oil refining volumes in Russia due to strikes on oil refineries, as reported by The Guardian.
Details of the Shipments
In July and August 2026, diesel was loaded in South Korean ports onto seven tankers that made 14 trips to the Russian port of Vladivostok. Of these, three tankers are under sanctions from the UK and the EU.
Increase in Supply Volumes
According to the analytical company Kpler, in August 2026, South Korea became the second largest supplier of petroleum products to Russia after India. It accounted for 112,000 tons out of 368,000 tons of marine imports, indicating a significant increase in supply volumes.