Sanctioned Russian Tanker Sails Past Shetland Carrying Diesel for North America
A Russian tanker sanctioned by Britain a year ago has sailed past Shetland carrying about 300,000 barrels of Russian diesel destined for North America, highlighting the limits of efforts to choke off the energy revenues sustaining Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The Leruo’s passage comes as Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian homes and power plants with missiles and drones, while the sale of its energy helps finance the assault.
The UK’s decision to allow the tanker to pass through its waters unchallenged has raised uncomfortable questions about the enforcement of sanctions and the willingness of Western governments to prevent sanctioned vessels from moving Russian fuel through international shipping routes. The voyage is particularly significant given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russia’s military campaign has resulted in widespread civilian casualties.
RAF Dispatched to Monitor Sanctioned Tanker
On Saturday, the RAF was also dispatched to monitor another sanctioned tanker, the Myra, west of Scotland. The vessel subsequently continued towards Egypt. The voyages have sparked concerns about the effectiveness of sanctions and the need for more robust enforcement measures to prevent Russian fuel from reaching international markets.
The UK’s decision to allow the tankers to pass through its waters unchallenged has been criticized by Ukraine campaign group Razom We Stand, which has called on Britain to stop allowing sanctioned tankers to pass through its waters unchallenged. The organization argues that every barrel of Russian fuel exported is money for the missiles and drones Russia fires at Ukrainian homes every night, bringing more civilian casualties.
Sanctions Enforcement: A Matter of Credibility
The issue is not simply whether sanctions exist on paper, but whether they meaningfully constrain the flows of money and fuel that sustain Russia’s war. As sanctioned tankers continue their journeys, the credibility of Western pressure on Moscow increasingly depends on the gap between declaring restrictions and enforcing them.
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, said: “Every barrel on board these ships exporting Russian fossil fuels is money for the missiles and drones Russia fires at Ukrainian homes every night, bringing more civilian casualties. Britain sanctioned this tanker a year ago, yet it sails past Shetland unchallenged, and Washington’s new diesel licence now gives it a buyer. Sanctions only work when they are enforced at sea, so the UK must stop and inspect sanctioned vessels in its waters, and the US must withdraw General License 135 and enforce the sanctions law Congress passed. Until this is done, those who do not actively curtail Russia’s energy export business must realise that they have Ukrainian blood on their hands.”
Ongoing Concerns Over Sanctions Enforcement
Britain’s own rules also leave a door open to Russian fuel. General Trade Licence GBSAN0004 still lets diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude in third countries into the UK until 1 January 2027. The apparent contradiction is stark: Western governments condemn Russia’s invasion and seek to restrict the revenues that support it, yet Russian petroleum products continue moving towards overseas markets under regulatory exemptions.
The first such cargo destined for the US is due to arrive in New York on 7 November, according to Reuters. The issue highlights the need for more robust enforcement measures to prevent Russian fuel from reaching international markets and underscores the importance of sanctions compliance in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Original Article: UK accused of having ‘Ukrainian blood on their hands’ as Russian diesel tanker sails past Shetland – London Business News — Londonlovesbusiness