Seven tankers carrying 288,000 tons of Russian diesel heading to US, unloading remains uncertain

Seven oil tankers loaded with an estimated 288,000 tons of Russian diesel are currently en route to the US, according to tracking data disclosed by Greenpeace. However, whether the vessels can unload their cargo remains uncertain due to ongoing political dispute.

The shipment represents the first phase of an agreement announced on October 9 and negotiated between Trump and Putin. Under the agreement, Putin accepted to supply a total of 1.8 million tons of diesel to the US, beginning with 300,000 tons initially; US President Trump granted a six-month exemption from current Russia sanctions in return.

Greenpeace Ukraine energy expert Shaun Burnie argued that the tankers' positions can now be tracked on a map and that the shipments should be stopped by either the US Congress or local authorities. Burnie stated that while Russia's war against Ukraine continues, the country should face increased punitive sanctions rather than being rewarded.

Of the seven tankers, one called Taurus was relatively close to the US, three others were near the United Kingdom, and three were passing through the English Channel. This week, US lawmakers led by a group of Democratic senators warned banks and port authorities that they could face congressional investigations and legal action if they process Russian diesel. New Jersey Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that the state would not permit the diesel to be unloaded within its borders.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia announced that a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle struck a commuter train preparing to depart near Dnipro at around 11 a.m.; 14 people were killed in the attack. In separate attacks in Chernihiv and Kremenchuk, five more people were killed.