At least two Russian tanker ships on Tuesday smuggled jet fuel into Syria by way of Cypriot ports, violating EU sanctions regime, reported Reuters.
The Russian defense ministry claimed EU restrictions did not apply to Syria-based military aircraft and refueled its warplanes that continue its bombing campaign of opposition-held areas in support of President Bashar Assad.
The Cypriot government said authorities did not authorize the docking of any Syria-bound Russian tankers. The country’s foreign ministry said it would “welcome any information that may be provided to us on any activity that contravenes U.N. or EU restrictive measures.”