Fri Sep 20 13:15:00 UTC 2024: ## Russia Defies Western Sanctions, Uses Sanctioned Tankers to Export Oil
**Moscow, Russia** – Despite Western sanctions aimed at curtailing its oil exports, Russia has been increasingly employing oil tankers sanctioned by the U.S., EU, and UK to transport its crude. According to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, at least 17 sanctioned tankers have left Russian ports loaded with oil since April, with the trend accelerating in recent months.
The U.S., EU, and UK have imposed sanctions on entities involved in transporting Russian oil to limit Putin’s revenue and enforce a price cap mechanism. However, Russian state tanker fleet operator Sovcomflot, which owns many of the vessels, claims it is not subject to sanctions as it lacks connections to Western countries.
The “dark fleet” of tankers, which Russia has amassed to circumvent sanctions, is estimated to have grown to over 600 vessels. This strategy raises concerns about the effectiveness of the sanctions and their ability to deter Russia’s oil exports.
The development comes as the global energy landscape remains volatile. While Western sanctions have undoubtedly impacted Russian oil exports, Moscow’s ability to find alternative transportation routes and circumvent sanctions highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing these measures effectively.
First Piper 