President Biden has indicated the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on the Kremlin in response to the death of Alexei Navalny, marking the latest effort in a series of actions taken by the U.S. and its western allies against the Russian government. Despite these measures, Russia continues to benefit from its oil wealth, with a significant portion of its crude oil being purchased by a key U.S. ally.
Recent investigations have shed light on the complex and often secretive nature of oil transfers that contribute to Russia's financial resources. Tankers engaged in opaque transactions, sometimes under sanctions, have been observed transferring crude oil in the vast expanse of the ocean. These transfers, estimated to involve tens of millions of barrels of crude oil annually, play a role in funding the Kremlin's military activities.
