Russia has started importing fuel from South Korea

Traders have sent almost 30,000 tonnes of petroleum products from South Korea to Russia. The shipment took place at the end of July, according to data from vessel tracking services and information from a source in the trading industry.

Russia's need for imported fuel is growing due to Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Damage to oil refineries and associated facilities has reduced the Russian market's ability to meet domestic demand with its own production.

The fuel crisis is accompanied by a shortage of petrol in a number of regions of the Russian Federation, restrictions on sales at petrol stations, queues and rising prices. The shortage is particularly acute during the period of seasonal demand increase.

Russia is trying to compensate for the deficit with supplies from several countries at once. Earlier, Kurs Ukrainy wrote that Moscow had started maritime imports of petrol from India.

At least 60,000 tonnes of petrol were sent from India to Russia. It involved two tankers with batches of 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes each. Belarus is also supplying fuel to the Russian market.

The Russian authorities expected to import up to 400,000 tonnes of petrol monthly from various countries. The start of purchases in South Korea indicates a further expansion of the supply geography against the backdrop of continuing problems with domestic production.

Based on materials from: Reuters