The U.S. denied entry to Cuba to the Russian tanker Universal
The United States did not allow the Russian oil tanker "Universal" to sail to Cuba.
The vessel, flying the Russian flag, drifted in the Sargasso Sea for nearly a month as it approached the Antilles, after which it changed course.
Currently, the ship’s captain has changed the destination to “For order,” indicating that he is awaiting new instructions regarding the further route or final point of arrival.
Instead of its planned course to Cuba, the tanker turned around and headed south. Analysts note that this trajectory clearly indicates a ban on passage by U.S. authorities.
“Judging by the ship’s movements, the U.S. did not grant permission for the tanker to pass through to Cuba,” the report states.
According to the well-known OSINT project “SONARROW,” the vessel set sail from the Russian port of Vistino. The Russian oil tanker left the Baltic Sea on April 6, escorted by the military corvette “Soobrazitelny.”
Throughout the entire passage to the Atlantic Ocean, the civilian tanker was escorted by warships of the Russian Federation.
As early as April 8, the tanker was recorded passing through the English Channel directly into British territorial waters.
As noted by the British publication The Telegraph, the Russian Black Sea Fleet frigate Admiral Grigorovich took over escorting the vessel to the Atlantic.
This heightened military presence is due to the severe sanctions pressure the vessel has been under for a long time.
The tanker “Universal” is subject to international restrictions due to the illegal transport of oil “using high-risk shipping practices.” The United States imposed sanctions against the vessel on January 10, 2025.
Subsequently, on May 20, 2025, the European Union joined the restrictions, followed by Switzerland and the United Kingdom on June 3 and July 21 of last year, respectively.
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