Greenpeace Ukraine identified seven Russian tankers moving across the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 29, transporting 288,000 metric tons of diesel toward the United States. One vessel currently approaches the U.S. East Coast. The identified ships are the Taurus, Pvt Azura, Agioi Fanendes, Talisman, Leruo, Iblea, and Primorye. Three of these vessels, the Talisman, Leruo, and Primorye, belong to a "shadow fleet" that illegally exports oil, according to Ukraine’s war sanctions portal. The Talisman has remained under U.S. sanctions since January 2025. These shipments are expected to arrive in the U.S. in early November, though the specific arrival ports remain unknown.
| Vessel Name | Sanction Status |
|---|---|
| Talisman | Sanctioned (since Jan 2025) |
| Leruo | Sanctioned |
| Primorye | Sanctioned |
| Taurus | No sanction listed |
| Pvt Azura | No sanction listed |
| Agioi Fanendes | No sanction listed |
| Iblea | No sanction listed |
Polina Kolodiazhna, an energy campaigner at Greenpeace Ukraine, said every shipment of Russian diesel comes at a "human cost." She said every dollar flowing into Russia risks fueling more attacks, more destruction and more deaths. These shipments also undermine the international sanctions regime and send a dangerous message that business with Russia can continue as usual, even as its war against Ukraine rages on. She expressed concern that these shipments threaten global stability.
Political backlash against Trump’s diesel deal
I find the decision to bypass existing laws to lower gas prices a reckless disregard for international security. On Oct. 9, President Donald Trump announced he is temporarily allowing Russian diesel sales in the U.S. to lower oil costs from the war with Iran. This move contradicts the 2022 Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, which Joe Biden signed into law after the invasion. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, issued a warning on Oct. 28 to a shipping company transporting the Russian diesel to the United States: turn back, or risk violating U.S. sanctions law. Blumenthal argues that Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin does not "supersede clear, unambiguous law."
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill told KYW Newsradio on Oct. 29 that she is evaluating options to stop the tankers from entering her state’s ports. She stated that Trump is "lining Vladimir Putin’s pockets at the expense of American consumers and our democratic ally Ukraine." Sherrill also called the deal "corrupt and illegal." These shipments follow a Sept. 28 decree from Vladimir Putin that restricts access to data on Russian oil refineries and energy exports. This secrecy helps shadow fleet vessels evade sanctions while the war against Ukraine continues.
