Russia imports refined fuel from South Korea amid Ukraine attacks

In late July, traders shipped nearly 30,000 metric tons of refined petroleum products from the Ulsan port in South Korea to Russia’s Far East. The cargo, consisting mainly of diesel and possibly aviation fuel, was loaded onto two short‑range tankers; one vessel has already reached Russia but has not yet off‑loaded.

The imports come as Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have curtailed refining capacity and tightened domestic fuel supplies. Russia, traditionally a net exporter of diesel, has extended its export bans on diesel and gasoline through January 2027, with limited easing expected from 1 September. Although the volume is modest, the transaction is noteworthy because it signals a reversal of Russia’s usual fuel‑export role and highlights the impact of the conflict on Russian energy logistics.