Russian embassy denies reports of oil tanker heading to Cuba

The Russian Embassy in Cuba has dismissed claims that the oil tanker Sea Horse, carrying over 200,000 barrels of fuel, was accompanied by the destroyer Mad 2034.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, the embassy said the Russian Foreign Ministry had not issued such information and described the circulating reports as false. Citizens were urged to rely only on official sources, including the websites and social media accounts of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the embassy itself, Caliber.Az reports. 

“Don’t be fooled!” the statement emphasised.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the vessel Sea Horse, believed to be transporting Russian fuels, is en route to Cuba and is expected to arrive in early March. The delivery comes amid the island nation’s worsening energy crisis and ongoing U.S. sanctions.

According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler Ltd., the tanker received supplies through a ship-to-ship transfer off the coast of Cyprus and is likely carrying nearly 200,000 barrels of gasoil, a diesel-type fuel critical for transportation, cooking, and electricity generation.

Cuba has been struggling to maintain power supplies, with satellite imagery showing nighttime light levels down by as much as 50% since the start of the year.

By Sabina Mammadli