Today: 1 June 2025
5 February 2024
2 mins read

Russian oil getting into UK via loophole

Most of the fuel imported – 4.6 million barrels – was jet fuel, which the group’s researchers suggested was used in one in 20 UK flights…reports Asian Lite News

Millions of barrels of fuel made from Russian oil are still being imported to the UK despite sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, research claims.

A so-called “loophole” means Russian crude is refined in countries such as India and the products sold to the UK. This is not illegal and does not breach the UK’s Russian oil ban, but critics say it undermines sanctions aimed at restricting Russia’s war funds.

The UK government denied there had been any imports of Russian oil since 2022. But a spokesman said internationally recognised “rules of origin” define that crude, once refined in another country, is classed for the purposes of trade as originating from the refining country.

The UK is among many Western countries to ban the import of all oil and oil products that originate in Russia in a bid to hit the amount of cash Moscow can generate from fossil fuels. But two separate reports, shared exclusively with the BBC, suggest the rules on refining enable products made from Russian crude oil to arrive on UK soil.

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said this “refining loophole” meant countries such as India and China, who have not sanctioned the Kremlin, are able to legally import Russian crude and refine it into oil products such as jet fuel and diesel.

They then export those products to the likes of the UK and the EU. “The issue with this loophole is that it increases the demand for Russian crude and enables higher sales in terms of volume and pushing up their price as well, which increases the funds sent to the Kremlin’s war chest,” said Isaac Levi, head of CREA’s Europe-Russia policy and energy analysis.

In a separate research paper, campaign group Global Witness estimated that throughout 2023, some 5.2 million barrels of refined petroleum products that had been produced from Russian crude oil were imported to the UK.

Most of the fuel imported – 4.6 million barrels – was jet fuel, which the group’s researchers suggested was used in one in 20 UK flights.

Lela Stanley, campaign lead for the Ukraine team at Global Witness, said while “the UK government falls over itself to decry the war in Ukraine, it remains complicit in the sale of Russian oil by keeping this refining loophole open”. “Every single pound spent on Russian oil helps Putin pay for his brutal war,” she added.

Both reports claimed the so-called loophole indirectly provided the Kremlin with more than £100m in tax revenues. They also said the bulk of the imports came mainly from three oil refineries in India – Jamnagar, Vadinar and New Mangalore, along with nine others in several countries including China.

Most of the estimates made by CREA and Global Witness were based on analysis of oil shipment figures from data and analytics firm Kpler, with pricing data based on Eurostat along with some other data sources.

ALSO READ-Drone attack sets Russian refinery ablaze

Previous Story

Dubai gears up for largest-ever Gulfood

Next Story

UAE SWAT Challenge: A crowd-pleasing spectacle

Latest from -Top News

UAE aid for Gaza in global focus

Titled Hope Remains, the documentary brings to light the UAE’s leading role in providing vital aid and support to the people of Gaza. The International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council has released a

Syria, Israel begin quiet talks

The announcement came just hours after Israeli warplanes reportedly carried out new airstrikes in Syria’s coastal provinces of Tartus and Latakia, hitting a range of military targets. Syria has confirmed the commencement

Gaza truce deal hits new snag

US says Hamas’ reply to the ceasefire plan was “totally unacceptable” and accused the Palestinian group of dragging the negotiations backward. The latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Gaza has hit

IAEA flags Iran enrichment spike

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in two separate but related reports, said Iran has boosted its uranium stockpile enriched up to 60% purity by nearly 50% since February. Iran has vehemently

World needs Dubai’s ambition: Morgan

Piers Morgan has hailed Dubai’s transformation as an example of what visionary leadership can achieve. British broadcaster Piers Morgan has praised the extraordinary ambition and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Starmer pledges to rebuild Gaza

Prime Minister reaffirms his commitment to a long-term two-state solution,

China, Russia to upend global order

Both the countries said they would resist the interference of