17 tankers delivered more than 562,000 metric tons of fuel to Russia — Main Intelligence Directorate
Due to a shortage of petroleum products that arose after part of Russia’s refining capacity was taken out of service, Russia is increasing its imports of gasoline and diesel fuel from third countries.
The primary purposes of these shipments are to supply Russia’s domestic market and meet the needs of its military.
Between July and September 2026, intelligence agencies identified 17 tankers and their captains—citizens of Russia, China, and India—who were involved in supplying the Russian Federation with over 562,000 metric tons of gasoline and diesel fuel.
Russia imports fuel via third countries
The main routes for the delivery of petroleum products to Russia are now India, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, and South Korea. After transshipment or loading in these countries, the cargoes are delivered to the Russian ports of Vitino, Murmansk, Vysotsk, St. Petersburg, Nakhodka, and Vladivostok.
In particular, in July and August, the tankers SINO FAITH, AURORA, and TULU delivered approximately 32, 30, and 37 thousand metric tons of gasoline, respectively, from the Moroccan port of Tanger Med to Murmansk and Vysotsk. Russian and foreign companies were involved in organizing these shipments, including an entity linked to the sanctioned company “Lukoil.”
The tanker IVY PEARL delivered another approximately 32,000 metric tons of gasoline from Tanger Med to St. Petersburg, while the DERIN delivered an additional 31,000 metric tons.
In early September, the tanker WENDRIX, which is subject to sanctions by a number of Western countries, delivered over 29,000 metric tons of gasoline to Vysotsk from the Turkish port of Mersin.
Russia is increasing its imports of diesel fuel
Another route involves the supply of diesel fuel from South Korea.
In August, the tanker PEGAS delivered nearly 22,000 metric tons of diesel from Ulsan to Nakhodka, after which the cargo was transported to Magadan and Vladivostok.
In July and August, the ARAM KHACHATURIAN delivered three shipments of diesel fuel from Ulsan to Nakhodka, totaling over 35,000 metric tons. In early August, the same vessel brought a test shipment of JET A-1 aviation fuel. According to intelligence assessments, it may have been delivered for laboratory research, testing, and evaluation of its eligibility for certification under Russian standards.
The tanker LAYLA delivered another 57,000 metric tons of diesel fuel from Ulsan to Vladivostok in late July and mid-August. The cargo was ordered by the Russian company “Nezavisimaya Neftegazovaya Kompaniya,” which supplies fuel to “TZK-AERO.” Under government contracts, the latter meets the needs of the armed forces, the FSB, and other military formations of the Russian Federation.
Fuel for the Russian Federation is delivered through the port of Vitino
The port of Vitino plays a distinct role in this scheme. In August 2026, it received over 194,000 metric tons of gasoline from India, Turkey, and Morocco. The shipments were carried out by the tankers GARNET, MANTA, TALISMAN, BEAST, and CHEM NIKOLAS, most of which are subject to sanctions imposed by various countries.
At the same time, back in September 2024, the Russian government incorporated Vitino into the boundaries of the port of Kandalaksha and banned foreign and nuclear-powered vessels from entering it. Despite this, the port continues to receive foreign-flagged vessels carrying cargo that is strategic for Russia—fuel.
In particular, in early August, the GARNET delivered over 57,000 metric tons of gasoline from Nayara Energy’s Vadinar Refinery to Vitino. Nearly half of the company—49.13%—is controlled by the sanctioned Russian firm Rosneft.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the GARNET received this cargo near Damietta, Egypt, via a ship-to-ship transfer with the AGNI tanker. After the schemes were exposed, the AGNI changed its name to CYCLONE and flew the Russian flag, but continued to transport Nayara Energy gasoline to a transshipment area near Egypt.
The shadow fleet uses ship-to-ship transshipment
Another large shipment to Vitino was delivered by the TALISMAN. On August 21, the tanker brought nearly 36,600 metric tons of Nayara Energy gasoline.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) determined that in late July, the TALISMAN received this cargo near Damietta via a ship-to-ship transfer with the tanker PHOTON. The latter had been loaded with Nayara Energy gasoline on July 12.
The GARNET, TALISMAN, and PHOTON belong to the fleet of the Russian sanctioned company “Sovkomflot”—the largest state-owned shipping company in the Russian Federation, which transports oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas.
In late August, the tanker BEAST unloaded nearly 37,000 metric tons of Nayara Energy gasoline in Vitino, which had been received via a transshipment near Damietta/Port Said. The CHEM NICHOLAS delivered another nearly 27,000 metric tons of gasoline obtained via STS transshipment near Ceuta from the tanker ZAPHIRA, which had been loaded at the Turkish port of Mersin.
Russian companies are involved in these schemes
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the Russian company “Altoprae Marine” is responsible for servicing the shadow fleet tankers that deliver fuel to Vitino. It is linked to former managers of Gennady Timchenko’s Gunvor Group.
In particular, the company’s founder and director is Alexander Gordeev, who previously worked for Gunvor and “Rosneftbunker.” Another company with the same name, registered in Novorossiysk, is owned by Mikhail Kasatkin—a former manager of Gunvor’s Russian operations.
“Altoprae Marine” is also involved in servicing other vessels in the Russian shadow fleet, specifically the EVENTIN and the CORDELIA MOON.
Russia is trying to compensate for the fuel shortage with imports
According to Ukrainian intelligence estimates, Moscow is increasing its imports of petroleum products amid a domestic fuel crisis and is forced to use complex and expensive logistics routes.
This is not just about supporting the domestic market. Imports are necessary to fulfill state defense contracts, support army and frontline logistics, and supply the occupied territories of Ukraine, the Kaliningrad exclave, and remote regions of the Russian Federation.
The Main Intelligence Directorate is calling on the international community to cut off supply channels for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel to Russia, prevent “gray” imports via third countries, and impose sanctions against ships, captains, companies, ports, terminals, and financial institutions that facilitate such logistics.
This was stated by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
Video: New lines at gas stations in St. Petersburg: drivers are buying up fuel en masse.
The day before, the Russian oil refinery “Kirishinefteorgsintez” in the Leningrad Region completely halted oil processing following a drone attack on August 30. According to Reuters, two primary refining units at the plant were damaged, while two others were not operating at the time of the strike.
Russia has reportedly restored 90% of the refining capacity damaged as a result of Ukrainian attacks. According to Vladimir Putin, about 10% of Russian refineries’ capacity remains damaged at this time.
