Russia is building up its “shadow fleet”: intelligence reveals the Kremlin’s new scheme
13 March 10:12
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine has announced the Kremlin’s plans to increase the number of oil tankers sailing under the Russian flag.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing a publication by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
Reason for the change in strategy
According to intelligence reports, Moscow took this step due to the increasing number of detentions of ships carrying Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions.
In recent months, such tankers have been increasingly detained by European countries and the US.
In addition, intelligence does not rule out that such actions may be related to possible coordination between Russia and Iran.
This concerns the safety of the passage of “shadow fleet” ships through areas of military conflict in the Middle East.
Plan to re-register dozens of tankers
In the near future, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, which is subject to sanctions, plans to identify and technically inspect about 80 tankers, after which they intend to re-register them.
According to intelligence reports, the vessels belong to companies registered in various countries. Among them are the Seychelles (35 tankers), China (23), Azerbaijan (13), and Samoa (8).
The list also includes shipowners registered in Vietnam, India, the UAE, and the Marshall Islands.
Potential threats to the West
Ukrainian intelligence believes that the increase in the number of tankers flying the Russian flag could facilitate the introduction of Russian special services agents onto such vessels.
According to the agency’s assessment, this could be used for reconnaissance and sabotage activities against Western countries, especially in the Baltic Sea region, through which more than 40% of Russian oil exports pass.
An example of the use of a “shadow fleet”
The intelligence report also recalled the case of the tanker BELLA 1. In January 2026, this vessel, which was transporting oil on behalf of Iran and Venezuela, received Russian registration after it was discovered to be flying a false Guyanese flag.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, such actions give the Kremlin additional opportunities to use such vessels as a tool of hybrid pressure on European countries and other Western states.
