Sergei Tsivilyov
Russian Energy Minister who confirmed second oil tanker loading for Cuba
Last refreshed: 15 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Is Russia systematically supplying Cuba with oil to defy US sanctions?
Timeline for Sergei Tsivilyov
Announced at Kazan energy forum that a second vessel was being loaded for Cuba
Cuba Dispatch: Russian tanker lands 730,000 barrels at Havana- Is Russia sending oil to Cuba despite US sanctions?
- Yes. Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin delivered approximately 730,000 barrels to Havana in March 2026, with Energy Minister Tsivilyov confirming a second vessel was being loaded.Source: Kazan energy forum statement, March 2026
- Who is Sergei Tsivilyov?
- Russia's Energy Minister since May 2024, formerly Kemerovo governor; confirmed second Cuba-bound oil tanker at a Kazan forum in March 2026.Source: Russian government record
Background
Sergei Tsivilyov, Russia's Energy Minister, told an energy forum in Kazan in March 2026 that a second Russian vessel was being loaded for Cuba following the arrival of the Anatoly Kolodkin at Havana with roughly 730,000 barrels of crude oil. His public confirmation signalled Moscow's deliberate and conspicuous defiance of US secondary sanctions under EO 14380.
Tsivilyov was appointed Russia's Energy Minister in May 2024 after serving as governor of the Kemerovo region. He replaced Nikolai Shulginov. His elevation coincided with Russia's intensified effort to use energy exports as a geopolitical instrument, including continued oil and gas sales to sanctioned partners. His attendance at the Kazan energy forum reflected Russia's broader messaging that it will not be deterred by Western secondary sanctions.
For Cuba, Tsivilyov's announcement matters practically: the island's generation system is critically dependent on imported fuel, and each confirmed tanker delivery represents roughly nine to ten days of national demand. His public statements directly undercut the coercive logic of EO 14380.