Russian Oil Shipments to Cuba Amidst U.S. Pressure and Blackouts
Two cargo ships, the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse and the Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin, are en route to Cuba carrying Russian oil and fuel, according to maritime intelligence companies reported by Local10. This comes as Cuba recovers from a nationwide blackout and faces increasing economic pressure from the United States.
Shipments and Timelines
The Sea Horse, carrying 27,000 tons of Russian gasoil, is expected to arrive in Cuba on March 23, 2026. The Anatoly Kolodkin, transporting approximately 725,000 to 728,000 barrels of crude oil, is due to arrive in early April as reported by MSN. These deliveries would mark the first energy resource shipments to Cuba in three months, following the implementation of a U.S. Energy embargo.
U.S. Response and Sanctions
The shipments are occurring against a backdrop of escalating tensions with the United States. In late January 2026, former President Donald Trump threatened to impose higher taxes on countries supplying energy resources to Cuba according to the Miami Herald. Trump has likewise suggested the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, stating he feels he “can do whatever I want with it” given the country’s current weakened state as reported by the Miami Herald.
Interestingly, on March 12, 2026, the U.S. Eased some sanctions on Russian oil, potentially in an effort to curb rising oil prices linked to the Iran conflict as reported by the Miami Herald.
Cuba’s Internal Situation
Cuba recently experienced a nationwide blackout lasting over 29 hours, which began on Monday and was partially resolved with the restoration of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant in Matanzas according to the Miami Herald. Protests erupted following the blackout, including an incident in Morón, Cuba, where residents reportedly sacked the Communist Party headquarters and set furniture ablaze as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
In a separate development, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga announced that members of the Cuban diaspora will be permitted to own businesses in Cuba. However, State Secretary Marco Rubio indicated this measure was insufficient, arguing that Cuba requires fundamental political and governmental changes according to the Miami Herald.
The Anatoly Kolodkin and International Sanctions
The Anatoly Kolodkin is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and has been subject to numerous international sanctions. The vessel was sanctioned by the United States in February 2024, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, Switzerland, and Australia in 2025 and 2026, due to its involvement in transporting Russian oil as reported by The Insider. The ship left the port of Primorsk on March 8, 2026, heading for Matanzas, Cuba, broadcasting “Atlantic for order” as its destination according to The Insider, and carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of Urals crude.