EU finally approves 19th Russian sanctions package, banning Russian LNG and more shadow fleet vessels
Slovakia lifted its holdout position after securing energy price guarantees from the European Commission.
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Russian shadow fleet
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Merz assumes Russia likely behind recent drone flights in Germany
German Chancellor described the aircraft as reconnaissance drones conducting surveillance operations and carrying no warheads.
EU finds legal opening to intercept 16 stateless Russian “shadow fleet” tankers
As Brussels sets to blacklist 120 more ships in its 19th sanctions round against Russia, 16 of these tankers operate without any recognized national flag, allowing EU states to intercept them under Article 110 of the UN.
ISW: Russian oil tankers cruising NATO waters suspected in NATO airspace drone intrusions
Investigators probe a pattern of drone incursions coinciding with shadow fleet ships in NATO waters.
France moves on Russia’s shadow fleet: Sanctioned tanker caught off Saint-Nazaire with murky cargo past
The Benin-flagged vessel, blacklisted for ties to Russian oil, faces a fresh investigation by French prosecutors.
Russia controls 1 in 5 “shadow fleet” oil tankers worldwide to dodge sanctions and fund war
The deceptive practices emerged after Europe banned Russian seaborne imports in late 2022 in response to its aggression in Ukraine, forcing Moscow to redirect sales to India and China via longer, more expensive shipping routes requiring additional vessels.
Russian crypto, banks, and oil trade hit in EU’s proposed 19th sanctions package
The proposal bans Russian LNG, hits 118 vessels, and still needs approval from all member states to take effect.
War in Ukraine could end within months if Europe targets Russian oil buyers, US treasury chief says
Scott Bessent believes the war could be over in 60 or 90 days if Europe imposes tariffs of 50% to 100% on China and India.
Ukrainian drones shutdown of Russia’s key Baltic oil terminal for first time
Ukrainian Security Service drones struck Russia's Primorsk oil port on 12 Sept, damaging two shadow fleet tankers and forcing the first-ever suspension of operations at the Baltic Sea terminal that exports $100 million worth of oil products daily.
Panama just slammed the door on Russia’s shadow fleet — tankers over 15 years old now blacklisted
The world’s largest shipping registry just threw a wrench into Moscow’s oil smuggling machine.
UK to sanction 100 Russian oil tankers in biggest ever shadow fleet crackdown
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Britain targets Moscow's shadow fleet, linked to $24 billion in smuggled oil, citing risks to undersea cables, environment, and Europe's infrastructure security.
Estonian navy detains Russian shadow fleet’s oil tanker near Tallinn
Authorities now check the flagless vessel Kiwala's technical condition and crew documentation.
Germany confiscates Russian “shadow fleet” tanker with $ 43 million of oil
Germany now owns the tanker and is considering a name change.
EU pays Russia more for fossil fuels than it gives Ukraine in aid, report finds
Despite public declarations of support for Ukraine, most major European powers commit minimal percentages of their economies to aid, while simultaneously purchasing Russian fossil fuels worth €3.2 billion more than their financial assistance to Kyiv in 2024, helping Russia to fund its war against Ukraine.
EU 16th sanctions package against Russia targets shadow fleet, banks, media outlets, third-country trade
53 entities across seven countries, including China, India, Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Turkey, have been sanctioned by the EU for supplying Russia with dual-use technologies and military components.
Politico: Europe moves to squeeze Russia’s shadow fleet as Finland shows how it’s done
The seizure of the Eagle S by Finnish authorities, a Russian oil tanker suspected of damaging vital subsea cables in the Baltic Sea, might trigger a shift in EU strategy.
“Ethical line is very thin”: Western firms pocket $ 6 billion selling old tankers to Russia’s shadow fleet despite sanctions
Aging tankers doubled in value as Russian buyers sought vessels to circumvent oil sanctions and maintain their source of revenue to fund the war against Ukraine. Greek shipowners dominated these sales, followed by British and German owners.
Telegraph: Finnish foreign minister says Russia’s economy shows “serious cracks,” urges to strengthen economic sanctions
Economic forecasts show Russian GDP dropping to under 1% in 2025 from 3% currently, while the central bank has pushed interest rates to 21% amid mounting pressure from international sanctions.
iStories: New US sanctions affected vessels that transported a fifth of Russia’s oil exports in 2024
India has stated it will not reduce its purchases of Russian oil, while China has yet to comment on the new sanctions.
Barbados and Panama to remove flags from 114 Russian shadow fleet tankers
Following January 2025 sanctions, Russian vessels are seeking new registrations, with some moving from Barbados to flags like Tanzania and São Tomé.