Systematic and precise strikes by Ukraine’s Defense Forces against russia’s oil-refining network have led to a significant reduction in jet fuel production in the russian federation. The kremlin’s efforts to increase the pace of air attacks against Ukraine, combined with the need to sustain civilian air transport, have resulted in a shortage of domestic resources.

To meet the needs of military and civilian aviation, russia, which for decades has positioned itself as an energy superpower, has officially introduced a temporary ban on the export of its own aviation fuel and is being forced to seek ways to import foreign Jet A-1 aviation fuel.

Jet A-1 is an analogue of the soviet-russian aviation fuels for gas-turbine aircraft engines — TS-1 and RT.

Jet A-1 is fully compatible with and suitable for use in russian aircraft operated by the armed forces of the aggressor state, including the MiG-29, Su-34 (NVO), Su-35S, Su-30SM, Su-57, Su-24M, and Tu-95MS (MSM).

Jet A-1 fuel can also be used to refuel the Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered strike UAVs equipped with Telefly TJ2000A (TF-TJ2000A) turbojet engines or their russian copies, the TRD-2000.

It has been documented that russian Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft powered by PS-90A-76 engines and used by the russian defense ministry to transport weapons and military equipment, including operational-tactical missile systems, use Jet A-1 standard fuel instead of the TS-1 fuel recommended by the manufacturer (GOST 10227-86).

Ukraine’s military intelligence has established the geography of foreign aviation fuel supplies and maritime logistics routes involving tankers from russia’s shadow fleet, captains from foreign countries, and companies linked to meeting the needs of the russian defense ministry.

Three tankers from russia’s shadow fleet have already delivered 70,000 tonnes of Jet A-1 standard fuel from South Korea and Egypt to the russian ports of Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok.

These vessels are HANNA (IMO 9397456), sailing under the flag of Panama and subject to Ukrainian sanctions; CAPIBARA (IMO 9267027), sailing under the flag of Indonesia and subject to Ukrainian sanctions; and the russian vessel ASTORIA (IMO 9166314), which is subject to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Australia, the EU, Switzerland, and Canada.

ASTORIA, under the command of Captain Andrey Mykhailovskyi (a russian citizen), delivered almost 11,000 tonnes of aviation fuel to the russian port of Vladivostok in early August this year from the port of Ulsan, South Korea.

This strategic cargo was delivered on behalf of the russian oil and gas holding company JSC Nezavisimaya Neftyanaya Kompaniya (TIN 7704233903), which is subject to Ukrainian sanctions.

It is known that JSC Nezavisimaya Neftyanaya Kompaniya supplies fuel worth billions of rubles to LLC TZK-AERO (TIN 2724152185). In turn, LLC TZK-AERO, under government contracts, supplies the needs of the russian armed forces, the FSB, and other russian military formations.

The UAE-based company Caliph Energy Trading FZE was also involved in supplying South Korean aviation fuel to russia.

HANNA, under the command of Captain Gagan (an Indian citizen), and CAPIBARA, under the command of Captain Refly Johnny Sumual (an Indonesian citizen), delivered a combined total of almost 59,000 tonnes of aviation fuel in August 2026 from the Egyptian port of El Dekheila to the terminal of JSC Petersburg Oil Terminal.

The supply chain involved the MIDOR (Middle East Oil Refinery) refinery, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), and the UAE-based trading company Vernal Overseas FZE. Russian companies LLC KONTUR SPB (TIN 7810220078), which is subject to EU and Swiss sanctions, and LLC YMF Agent (TIN 7805691160) were also involved in the import of Jet A-1 from Egypt. It is known that LLC KONTUR SPB supplies the russian defense ministry under government contracts.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reported on the kremlin’s gray schemes aimed at overcoming the fuel shortage in russia.

The aggressor state and every scheme designed to circumvent sanctions will inevitably receive an appropriate response.