First Russian Diesel Shipment to Syria in 10 Years—What’s Behind It?

For the first time in over a decade, Russia has directly shipped diesel to Syria, openly defying US sanctions designed to restrict its oil exports.

The shipment was carried by the tanker Prosperity, a US-sanctioned vessel flying the Barbados flag, which loaded 37,000 metric tons of diesel in Russia before heading to Syria.

Currently anchored near the port of Banias, the tanker is managed by Dubai-based Fornax Ship Management—another company under US sanctions.

With the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia’s military bases in Syria, including the Hmeimim airbase and Tartous naval base, are at risk—making control over fuel supplies crucial.

Syria is struggling with an energy crisis as its major refineries have halted operations, and Iranian crude shipments—its usual source—have stopped since November.

The US has placed strict sanctions on Russian oil exports since the Ukraine invasion, with over 180 tankers blacklisted, but Russia continues using complex shipping networks to evade restrictions.

The purpose of this diesel shipment remains unclear—whether for Russian military bases or the Syrian government—but one thing is certain: Russia isn’t backing down.