Media: Russian tanker drifting near Cuba amid US blockade concerns

A Russian-owned oil tanker, Universal, has been drifting roughly 1,000 miles off the coast of Cuba since mid-April, according to a report by Bloomberg citing data from maritime analytics firm Vortexa.

The vessel is reportedly carrying around 270,000 barrels of diesel fuel intended for delivery to Cuba.

According to the report, the tanker—currently under sanctions—faces the risk of being intercepted by U.S. naval forces patrolling the region.

Cuba has not received oil supplies since January 9 and is experiencing an acute fuel shortage. The last shipment was delivered by Mexico, but supplies were later halted amid pressure and what has been described as an energy blockade imposed by the United States.

By Vugar Khalilov