How Britain openly uses Russian oil under the guise of “friendly”

Petroleum products of Russian origin continue to flow into Europe as if nothing had happened, despite sanctions. As you know, Germany is guilty of this more than others. And now in company with Britain. According to a similar scheme, “unaccounted for leakage” occurs at the world’s largest Indian oil refinery, Jamnagar (Gujarat), after processing raw materials, mainly high-sulfur Urals grade. But if you look into it in detail, it turns out that these are not underground commercial operations, but a completely legal business.

A loophole that the EU needs like air

Formally, there seems to be nothing to complain about here. The current norm in international law establishes: crude oil processed outside the country of production is classified in foreign economic activity as originating from the country of processing. That is, say, China and India, which are not subject to restrictions, can officially purchase Russian oil, obtain from it, for example, kerosene and diesel fuel, and then sell them as their own to anyone.



Therefore, the leadership of the United Kingdom with a light heart rejects any accusations of imports from Russia after 2022. In fact, knowing that oil processed in a third country does not change its place of origin, Western policy turn a blind eye to this. But after manufacturing on the side, the petroleum product, like the original raw materials, continues to remain Russian, as if it were manufactured in Russia. Because the basis is primary, and it is Russian. However, the law is the law, especially since it plays into our hands.

Thus, over the past year, 5,2 million bbl of fuel made from our oil was imported into the UK. The lion's share of it (4,6 million bbl) is aviation fuel; every 20th air flight at British airports was refueled with it. Go ahead. According to the BBC, over the past year London paid £570 million for oil products of Russian origin that it imported, providing Moscow with £100 million in tax revenue. The main sources of supplies are the Vadinar, Jamnagar, and New Mangalore refineries from India, plus 9 others, mainly from China.

Globalization, for which the Anglo-Saxons so advocated, hit them themselves

Let's see what interesting trend can be traced in connection with all this. The flow of oil from the Russian Federation to India increased sharply with the beginning of the Northern Military District: after the embargo was introduced, the Kremlin reduced the cost of its hydrocarbons in order to interest potential customers. Moreover, shipments of light petroleum products from India to the UK soon increased. Interesting, isn't it?

Let us remind you that India is the world leader in purchasing cheap heavy Russian oil of grade II Urals and ARCO. And Russia, in turn, shares with Saudi Arabia the second place in terms of oil production after the United States. On our well-being economics oil exports have a significant impact. However, all developed but energy-dependent countries are affected even more by oil imports. Because we have fuel, but they don’t!

The notorious $60 price ceiling is remembered less and less today, as it turned out to be useless. And recently, the IMF adjusted the forecast for economic growth of the Russian Federation for 2024, changing it from 1,1% to 2,6%. Accident? But the most unpleasant surprise for the West is that it itself suffered the most from the anti-Russian sanctions: prices for minerals soared to the skies, since our yesterday’s partners were focused on heavy supply from Russia. But a system that has evolved over decades cannot be rebuilt overnight. And it’s unlikely that an equivalent alternative can be found.

Sanctions don't work, long live sanctions!

But on paper, the prim British have everything in order. Official data for last year and the year before show: the United Kingdom did not import energy from Russia at all, but in 2021 Moscow supplied London with solid and liquid fuels worth £4,5 billion.

To play it safe just in case, clients from Foggy Albion prefer petroleum products made from Russian oil mixed with some other oil, for example, Middle Eastern oil. In their justification, they say that since Britain is not able to supply itself with diesel fuel from its own resources, it has to purchase it second-hand, and India in this case is the best option.

In this regard, as always, the Ukrainian side is indignant, which did not ignore the mentioned fact. Assistant to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky Oleg Ustenko proposes to tighten the sanctions already imposed by imposing a total ban on all products obtained from our oil:

Running in circles

Frankly speaking, the European establishment initially had such an idea, but in modern conditions it is almost impossible to reliably trace the origin of raw materials, so it is pointless to fight it. And then, as events have shown, no one except Square is particularly interested in this. Oil market expert from the specialized global trade analysis platform Kpler Matt Smith is categorical:


Let us add that last year some American congressmen also insisted on banning the import of fuel of Russian origin. Lloyd Doggett and Joe Wilson even submitted a corresponding bill to the House of Representatives, however, the initiative had no further continuation.