Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries force Russia to buy jet fuel, intell says
Russian Federation imports fuel for its aircraft (photo: Russian Defense Ministry)
Russia is forced to import Jet A-1 aviation fuel after a sharp decline in domestic jet fuel production due to sustained Ukrainian strikes on its oil refineries, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) reports.
Fuel shortages, sanctions evasion
The Kremlin is forced to seek foreign Jet A-1 aviation fuel because of a shortage of domestic supplies, amid efforts to intensify air attacks on Ukraine and maintain civilian air travel.
As a result, Russia has officially imposed a temporary ban on the export of its own aviation fuel.
Military intelligence has established that three tankers from Russia's shadow fleet have already delivered 70,000 tons of Jet A-1 fuel from South Korea and Egypt to the ports of St. Petersburg and Vladivostok.
The following vessels were involved in the schemes:
- ASTORIA, which is under sanctions from the UK, the EU, and other countries, delivered nearly 11,000 tons of fuel from the South Korean port of Ulsan to Vladivostok on behalf of oil and gas holding company Nezavisimaya Neftyanaya Kompaniya. The fuel is then transferred to TZK-AERO, which supplies the Russian armed forces and FSB
- HANNA and CAPIBARA tankers, which are under Ukrainian sanctions, delivered nearly 59,000 tons of aviation fuel from Egypt's El Dekheila port to the Petersburg Oil Terminal. Companies from the UAE, Egypt's MIDOR refinery, and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) were involved in the deliveries.
How imported fuel is used
According to HUR, Jet A-1 fuel is fully compatible with the Soviet-designed and Russian-produced TS-1 and RT fuels.
It is used to refuel:
- MiG-29, Su-34, Su-35S, Su-30SM, Su-57 and Su-24M fighter jets and bombers
- Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers
- Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft used to carry weapons and missiles
- Geran-4 and Geran-5 strike drones equipped with turbojet engines.
As reported, Ukraine's military intelligence continues to counter Russian aggression by carrying out special operations and exposing the country's secret facilities.
Earlier, Ukrainian Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine had attempted to negotiate with Russia on a mutual halt to long-range strikes.
According to him, he personally took part in the talks, but they failed to yield results due to the Russian side's position.
In addition, Ukrainian intelligence has uncovered details of Russia's military and biological activities.
On the restricted Lisiy Island in Russia's Tver region, a secret FSB-controlled complex has been operating, where Russian personnel have conducted research involving deadly pathogens.
