The Bulgaria Government at the Center for Scandal, as the investigation of the Global Witness Anti -Corruption Group and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Center for the Study of Democracy have revealed important details of the Naftorobuel. According to them, the plant, located near the Black Sea port of Burgas, became the largest oil refinery in Bulgaria and one of the world leaders in the consumption of Russian oil.
During the first ten months of 2023, the plant has processed more than 4.95 million tons of Russian oil, sending about 1.13 billion euros of direct tax revenues to the Kremlin. These data are shocking because it is about as much as Vladimir Putin himself went to financing the private military unit "Wagner".
Bulgaria, being the fourth largest buyer of Russian oil among EU countries, uses embargo as a detour maneuver, legalizing the transit of Russian oil through Lukoil oil refining plant. This exception was made by the EU, as they claim to "ensure safety of deliveries" in the domestic market and to sell fuel to Ukraine.
However, the investigation showed that instead of meeting domestic demand, the plant uses this exception to export of petroleum products to countries that have already imposed sanctions against Russia, including the United States.
The analysis of data showed that before the invasion of Russia in Ukraine the consumption of Russian oil in Burgas was about 70% of the total import. In the first ten months of 2023, this figure increased to 93%.
The Burgas Oil Refinery "Lukoil" became the focus of international attention because of its key role in the transportation and processing of Russian oil, especially in the conditions of military conflict in Ukraine. The refinery not only provides uninterrupted functioning, but also gives Russia the opportunity to obtain significant tax profit, using it as a platform for export of petroleum products.
Global Witness calls on the EU to stop the opportunity for Lukoil to direct the Kremlin's profits through the processing of Russian oil in Bulgaria and the export of petroleum products to countries that have imposed sanctions against Russia.
