Seoul calls Kyiv's allegations of fuel supply to Russia unproven

Kyiv points to oil product imports from Seoul

Vladyslav Vlasuk, the President of Ukraine's Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, released data indicating that Russia imported over 176,000 tonnes of oil products from South Korea in July and August. According to him, such supplies accounted for approximately 31% of Russia's fuel imports in August.

Vlasuk referred to the results of an analysis of port records and vessel movements. According to this data, fuel was loaded onto seven tankers at South Korean ports, after which the vessels made 14 voyages to Russia's Far East. Some of these vessels are subject to sanctions by the United Kingdom and the EU.

In Ukraine, it was emphasised that these supplies coincided with a period when Russia's oil refining industry suffered significant losses due to Ukrainian drone strikes. According to the Ukrainian side's assessment, imports from South Korea allowed Russia to partially compensate for the reduction in its own oil refining capacity.

Seoul's reaction: lack of evidence and sanctions compliance

The Government of South Korea rejected such allegations, stating that Ukraine had drawn conclusions without sufficient verification of facts. South Korean Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong emphasised that the country has been complying with international sanctions and its own export controls regarding Moscow since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

According to her, based on data about specific operations cited by the Ukrainian side, it is currently impossible to establish all key circumstances, including the parties to the agreements, the origin of the cargo, and its end buyer.

In Seoul, it was also stated that such public claims could damage international trust in South Korea.

Official statistics and further actions

The administration of the President of South Korea noted that official trade statistics for the period from August 2025 to August 2026 do not record exports from the country to Russia of diesel fuel, petrol, or aviation fuel.

South Korean authorities reported that they are verifying the circumstances of the supplies and will take necessary measures if violations of sanctions or export rules are established. Thus, Seoul denies Ukraine's allegations of aiding Russia and insists on compliance with the sanctions regime, while continuing to verify information about specific fuel supplies to the Russian Federation.