Seoul backs Ukraine, but sanctioned tankers carried fuel from South Korea to Russia

In July and August, seven tankers made 14 trips from South Korea to Russia's Far East, transporting over 176,000 metric tons of fuel, primarily diesel, according to a Guardian analysis of port records and ship-tracking data. Three of the ships were sanctioned by the UK and EU. One tanker loaded its fuel from another unauthorized vessel off South Korea instead of a port.

Ukrainian missile attacks have significantly diminished Russia's oil refining capacity, with Ukrainian officials stating that 42% of Russia's refining capacity was disrupted in July, leading to a 30% drop in diesel output compared to the previous year. Despite this, Russia continues to import fuel, including 112,000 metric tons from South Korea in August, according to Kpler data cited by the Guardian.

South Korea has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and non-lethal aid but has ruled out sending weapons directly, even as fuel shipments appear to be legal under South Korean law. The tension in Seoul's policy towards the war is evident, as the country provides aid to Ukraine but enforces strict export controls. The UK Foreign Office and South Korea's Foreign Ministry did not respond to inquiries about the sanctioned tankers using South Korean ports.