US returns seized tanker to Venezuela while Russia’s stays in custody
Both vessels were captured on 7 January. One country yielded to pressure. The other requires more.
Browsing Tag
Russian shadow fleet
44 posts
Shadow fleet disrupted: Ukraine claims 20% of Russian oil tankers sidelined by sanctions
Ukraine and its allies have successfully forced one-fifth of Russia's shadow tanker fleet offline, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported, with current maritime oil export restrictions expected to cost Moscow at least $30 billion in annual revenues.
ISW: Owner of US-detained Bella‑1 oil tanker affiliated with Russian efforts to evade Venezuela oil sanctions
Registry changes and company ties contrast with Moscow’s cautious response to the interception.
Estonia’s top spy: Russia limits Baltic Sea provocations to protect oil shipments by shadow fleet
Moscow has rerouted drones attacking Ukraine and tightened aircraft discipline over the Baltic Sea after NATO responses, but the restraint could end as the war continues, Kaupo Rosin warns.
Ukraine’s $240,000 drones are bleeding Russia’s oil fleet dry
Five tankers hit in two weeks—and insurance costs have tripled.
Ukraine strikes Russian oil platform in Caspian Sea in first-of-its-kind attack 900 km from Ukraine (MAP)
The SBU's long-range drones reportedly hit the Filanovsky platform owned by Lukoil, halting extraction from over 20 wells.
Another Russian shadow fleet tanker wrecked by Sea Baby drones in the Black Sea (VIDEO, MAP)
Ukrainian Sea Baby drones hit the Dashan, a massive 164,000-ton vessel, as it tried to reach Russia's Novorossiysk under a Comoros flag.
Insurance costs succeed where sanctions fail: Ukraine hits Russia’s shadow fleet
Shipowners halt Russia-linked voyages as war risk premiums surge up to 250%.
Two Russian shadow fleet tankers hit by mysterious blasts off Türkiye’s coast — both incidents in same area (MAP)
Turkey confirms Kairos suffered external impact and fire, while Virat billowed smoke just miles away in the Black Sea.
Canada just sanctioned 100 Russian “shadow fleet” tankers — plus drone and cyber suppliers behind the front lines
Ottawa says the new measures raise the economic cost of Russia’s invasion and reinforce coordinated G7 pressure on the Kremlin.
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.
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.