A report from a Latvian television channel has drawn attention to a suspected route for Russian fuel moving toward Ukraine, with claims that the shipments used forged documents. The sequence began at the start of the year when a vessel call sign associated with St. Petersburg arrived at the port of Riga. The report suggests that the voyage involved multiple stages and facilities, including the PARS Terminal and storage sites operated by Naftimpeks. The value of the cargo, as cited by the broadcast, could exceed 100 million euros, highlighting the high monetary scale of the operation under scrutiny. (TV3 Latvia)
According to the same broadcaster, the consignments were transported under questionable paperwork, raising questions about the documentation controls and regulatory compliance surrounding the transfer of oil products. The report points to the NS Point and NS Pride ships—part of the fleet managed by Sovcomflot, the Russian state-owned shipping company—as appearing in connection with these movements. The narrative implies that the shipments were linked to a broader effort to move fuel through Baltic corridors toward European destinations. (TV3 Latvia)
By early February, the broadcast claimed that the import of Russian fuel into Europe did not appear to violate existing sanctions, though it acknowledged ongoing debates about how sanctions are interpreted and applied on the ground. The coverage noted that the situation was being assessed in real time as European authorities monitored potential loopholes and the operational details of the supply chain. (TV3 Latvia)
In a related note, the report referenced gas flows from Russia to Europe via Ukraine. It cited figures indicating a volume of 37.2 million cubic meters, with Gazprom delivering through Ukraine as confirmed by Ukrainian authorities at the Sudzha gas measuring station. The description underscored how gas movements, separate from liquid fuels, are also subject to scrutiny and seasonal dynamics that can influence throughput and regulatory responses. (TV3 Latvia)