The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has reported a new sanctions-evasion mechanism developed by Russia in cooperation with the government of Vietnam.

This was stated in the report of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

MINIMUM PRICE AS A SANCTIONS-EVASION TOOL

Russia continues to build international logistics and financial chains to avoid sanctions restrictions. One of the key elements has become a package of Russian-Vietnamese intergovernmental agreements approved in May this year.

The document sets a minimum oil sale price of $75 per barrel. This significantly exceeds the price cap established by the EU — $47.6 per barrel, introduced in July 2025.

A SCHEME FOR MASKING THE ORIGIN OF OIL

The agreement provides for the expansion of joint oil production by Russia’s Zarubezhneft and Vietnam’s PetroVietnam and Vietsovpetro. The companies receive additional licenses for oil and gas production until 2050.

A separate provision includes the creation of subsidiary companies in third countries. This makes it possible to export Russian oil disguised as Vietnamese, concealing its true origin.

In parallel, Moscow is expanding its humanitarian and military-technical presence in Vietnam, effectively forming a new energy corridor.

RISK OF ENERGY SABOTAGE

The DIU warns that given the Kremlin’s attempts to secure a “guaranteed” price for energy resources, Russian intelligence services may intensify their efforts to interfere with international energy supply chains and carry out sabotage against the infrastructure of other states.