It seems we have another incident to add to the growing list of “interesting developments” at sea, involving vessels with links to Russia. This time, it’s an oil tanker carrying diesel that has suffered four external explosions near Dakar, Senegal. The ship’s manager, Besiktas Shipping, confirmed the event, stating that seawater entered the engine room of the “Mersin,” but thankfully, the crew is safe, and there’s been no reported pollution. This is particularly noteworthy because it marks the third such incident in just a few days, all involving ships that have been involved in the movement of Russian petroleum.
The previous incidents, occurring late last week, took place in the Black Sea and involved empty tankers.… Continue reading
A recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that India imported 5.4 million tonnes of Russian oil worth €2.1 billion between January and September 2025 using 30 vessels sailing under false flags. This comprised the largest single national destination for crude transported by Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which is comprised of aged tankers operating in legal grey areas. The report indicated a concerning rise in the number of Russian vessels utilizing false flags, with 113 such vessels transporting 13% of all Russian crude oil during the first nine months of the year. CREA emphasized the need for global reforms, urging the EU and UK to address the environmental and security threats posed by these practices and to disrupt the logistics that support Russia’s war effort.
Read More
US sanctions targeting Chinese oil infrastructure and Russian energy firms have significantly reduced flows of Russian and Iranian oil into China, the world’s top oil importer, with Chinese seaborne imports of Russian crude potentially dropping by two-thirds. This shift follows sanctions on major Russian oil producers and a key Chinese port, impacting Iranian shipments as well. While state-owned Chinese refiners have paused purchases, smaller private refineries are also showing caution, influenced by EU and UK blacklistings, resulting in a glut of unsold oil and lower prices. Despite the slowdown, some ports and traders are circumventing restrictions through practices like ship-to-ship transfers, suggesting that the impact may be temporary.
Read More
The discount on Russian Urals crude versus Brent surged to $19.40 per barrel on November 10th, the highest in a year, according to Kommersant citing industry sources. This increase followed new US sanctions targeting Russian energy companies Lukoil and Rosneft. Previously, discounts had reached a peak of $31.90 per barrel in the second quarter of 2022. Key buyers like India and China are reportedly reducing Russian crude imports, and declines in exports have been the steepest since January 2024.
Read More
Following a meeting between Hungarian and US officials, a dispute has emerged regarding the scope of a sanctions waiver on Russian oil and gas imports. While Hungarian officials claimed an indefinite exemption, a White House official clarified that the waiver is only valid for one year. The US official also stated the agreement includes requirements for Hungary to diversify its energy sources, including the purchase of US liquefied natural gas. This disagreement arises amidst Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian energy imports, drawing criticism from its allies.
Read More
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the cessation of Russian oil exports to Hungary is inevitable, despite existing contracts and dependencies. He emphasized that Ukraine will find a solution to prevent Russian oil from reaching Europe, even if it takes time. Zelenskyy also asserted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s efforts to obstruct Ukraine’s EU accession will be unsuccessful, as the Russians have failed in this endeavor. Furthermore, the president criticized Orban’s focus on personal gain and hatred towards Ukraine, rather than fostering friendship.
Read More
“Kinetic sanctions”: 160 strikes on Russian refineries cut oil output by 90% – SBU chief, that headline, it’s a real grabber, isn’t it? It certainly gets your attention, and it’s easy to see why it would be shared widely. However, when we dig into the details and the supporting information, things get a little murkier, and we need to approach the claims with a healthy dose of skepticism.
The core of the issue lies in that initial 90% figure. It’s a significant claim, suggesting a massive impact on Russia’s oil production capabilities. But when you start to look for hard evidence to back it up, you run into some problems.… Continue reading
Over 20 countries pledge to remove Russian oil and gas from global markets is a significant move, signaling a growing international effort to squeeze Russia’s financial lifeline. This commitment represents a concerted push to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources, a bold step with far-reaching implications. The goal is to weaken Russia’s ability to fund its operations, particularly its military actions, and to diversify global energy supplies.
The scope of this pledge is considerable, encompassing a diverse group of nations, each with its own energy needs and economic ties. The implications are that these nations are willing to endure some short-term economic adjustments to achieve a larger strategic goal.… Continue reading
In a summit held in London, over 20 nations supporting Ukraine have committed to removing Russian oil and gas from the global market to pressure President Putin. Key actions include sanctions against major Russian oil companies and targeting Moscow’s LNG exports, with the UK aiming to unlock billions through Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine’s defense. While the allies also pledged to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses, no announcements were made regarding the delivery of long-range missiles, which Ukraine has requested to target Russian military assets. Despite these efforts, no specific strategies were detailed to force a battlefield change or compel Putin to negotiate.
Read More
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has updated its War&Sanctions portal, releasing dossiers on 139 vessels and 142 captains engaged in illicit activities. These activities include the illegal transport of sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil, and the smuggling of stolen Ukrainian grain. The intelligence agency highlights that these actions provide crucial revenue to Russia, which funds the ongoing war. The update reveals new tankers, vessels linked to Iranian oil magnates, and ships involved in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, further exposing the scale of sanctions evasion.
Read More
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker