The Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying more than 700,000 barrels of crude oil, arrived at Cuba's Matanzas port, 100 kilometers from Havana, on March 30, 2026, and is awaiting unloading. US President Donald Trump stated he has no problem with the delivery, as Cuba needs it to survive. The sanctioned vessel received permission from the US Coast Guard.
The Anatoly Kolodkin departed from Russia's Primorsk port and reached Matanzas on the morning of Monday, March 30, per Interfax citing the Russian Transport Ministry. The vessel awaits unloading amid Cuba's energy crisis.
On March 29, Trump told reporters: “I have no problem if a country sends some oil to Cuba right now, whether it’s Russia or not. (…) They have to survive.” He added that “Cuba is finished” due to its corrupt regime, but the shipment won't matter, according to AP reports.
Jorge Piñon, a researcher at the University of Texas Energy Institute, voiced surprise at the lack of US opposition. He estimated unloading, refining, and distribution will take 20-25 days, yielding 200,000-250,000 barrels of diesel for 10-12 days of minimum supply.
Cuba grapples with blackouts exceeding 12 hours, protests, and halted services from fuel shortages. Russia offered humanitarian aid in February, marking the first shipment since February 2025, per Reuters.
