For the first time, Australia sanctions Russian shadow fleet oil tankers
"Russia uses these vessels to circumvent international sanctions and sustain its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine," Australia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Shadow Fleet
Russia evading oil sanctions with illegal transfers near Greece, Cyprus, HUR says
According to Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), the vessel, operating without Western insurance, is part of Russia's expanding shadow fleet used to bypass G7 and EU sanctions on Russian oil exports.
Using Russian assets for Ukraine aid needs 'closer look,' German official says
Top German official Thorsten Frei said in an interview with German media on May 31 that the EU should reconsider using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, urging a tougher stance against the Kremlin.
Russia's budget deficit triples amid sanctions and low oil prices, Ukrainian official says
Ukrainian commissioner for sanctions policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk said international sanctions remain a key driver behind the decline in Russia's energy revenues.
'Suspicious' Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker spotted near undersea power cable sparks Polish military intervention
"After the effective intervention of our military, the ship sailed to one of the Russian ports," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X.
Russia releases Green Admire tanker seized after leaving Estonian port
The detention followed recent moves by Estonia and its neighbors to clamp down on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," which is used to bypass Western oil sanctions.
EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet
"New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works," Kaja Kallas said on X.
EU prepares sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet, German FM says
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany and its allies are responding to hybrid threats in the Baltic region with increased patrols and renewed pressure on Russia's covert shipping operations.
Russian fighter jet 'violated NATO territory' after Estonia tried to detain 'shadow fleet' tanker
"The Russian Federation is ready to protect the 'shadow fleet'... the situation is really serious," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on May 15.
UK targets 101 ships in 'largest ever' sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet
The sanctioned oil tankers have transported over $24 billion in cargo since 2024, according to Downing Street. The U.K. has now sanctioned more shadow fleet vessels than any other country.
European Commission prepares 17th sanctions package against Russia, Reuters reports
The European Commission is preparing its 17th sanctions package against Russia, adding more individuals and over 100 vessels associated with Russia's shadow fleet to the sanctions list.
Ukraine detains Russian 'shadow fleet' ship smuggling stolen grain from Crimea, SBU says
Investigators said the vessel had loaded around 5,000 tons of stolen Ukrainian wheat from the Russian-occupied port city of Sevastopol in late 2024 and attempted to disguise its operations by sailing under the flag of an Asian country.
Ukraine's intelligence identifies captain of Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker
Ukrainian intelligence has identified the captain of the oil embargo-breaking tanker FACCA, a part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.
Zelensky slaps sanctions on war propagandists, Russian shadow fleet
The sanctions lists include 71 people and 18 propaganda outlets spreading Russian propaganda. Fifty-nine more people are on the list targeting the so-called shadow fleet, including two Chinese captains.
Estonia detains Russian shadow fleet tanker for the first time
The vessel's captain is a Chinese citizen, and the rest of the crew are nationals of Myanmar.
Zelensky announces sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” during his nightly address on April 10.
Ukraine war latest: US ambassador to Ukraine to resign
Key developments on April 10: * US ambassador to Ukraine to resign, State Department tells Kyiv Independent * 'Before I got there, I had never held a weapon' — Ukraine shows interrogation of Chinese POWs * Ukraine won't accept any limits on its army in talks with Russia, official says * Russia frees woman jailed
US senators submit bill to crack down on Russia's shadow fleet
The proposed law would authorize U.S. authorities to confiscate oil cargoes transported by vessels blacklisted by the Treasury Department. Proceeds from the sale of the seized oil would be directed toward reducing the U.S. national debt.
Germany seizes Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker in Baltic Sea, Der Spiegel reports
The shadow fleet refers to aging and largely uninsured oil tankers that Russia uses to transport oil above the $60 per barrel price cap.
US vetoes G7 proposal to establish task force on Russia's 'shadow fleet,' Bloomberg reports
The United States vetoed a Group of Seven (G7) proposal to establish a joint task force that would tackle sanctions evasion related to Russia's 'shadow fleet,' Bloomberg reported on March 8.
Reported Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker, detained over damaged undersea cables, allowed to leave Finland
In January, the Swedish Navy found an anchor at the site of the sabotaged cables in the Baltic Sea. Finnish authorities suspect the Eagle S intentionally dragged its anchor along dozens of kilometers of the Baltic seabed, according to AFP.
Starmer announces UK's largest package of Russia sanctions, confirms readiness to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine
The U.K. is imposing its largest-ever package of sanctions against Russia, targeting its "shadow fleet" of tankers and foreign-based companies providing military parts to Russia, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Feb. 24.
EU officially adopts 16th package of sanctions against Russia
The new measures, announced on the third anniversary of the all-out war, target Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, banks, aluminum imports, and other sectors.
EU ambassadors agree on 16th package of Russia sanctions
EU ambassadors agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting aluminum imports and the "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, Euronews reported on Feb. 19.
Explosions reported on Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in Italy
Two explosions took place on the oil tanker Seajewel, moored in the Italian city of Savona on Feb. 18, with the vessel allegedly transporting Russian oil to Europe, Italian publication IVG reported.
Russia's growing shadow fleet sends a dangerous signal, expert warns
Russia has resorted to a "shadow fleet" to transport its oil and gas to get around Western sanctions and price caps. The Kyiv Independent spoke with Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Security Initiative, to find out what options the West has and how dangerous the shadow fleet actually is.
Europe mulls large-scale seizures of Russia's 'shadow fleet' ships, Politico reports
According to Politico, European countries are drafting new legislation that would enable potential seizures of Russian oil tankers on legal grounds.
Explosion on oil tanker at Russian port prompts investigation
The tanker, built in 2023 and sailing under the Antigua and Barbuda flag, had arrived at Ust-Luga on Feb. 6, according to ship-tracking data from Vesselfinder. Russia’s Baza Telegram channel reported that the vessel was carrying 130,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.
Russia says its undersea telecom cable in Baltic Sea damaged by 'external impact'
The damage comes amid a series of recent disruptions to undersea telecom and power cables in the Baltic Sea. Western experts and officials have accused Russia of engaging in hybrid warfare against countries supporting Ukraine.
US sanctions strain Russia’s oil exports as shipping costs surge, Bloomberg reports
The number of sanctioned vessels has now reached 265, with U.S. blacklisting proving to be the most disruptive. Of the 435 ships that transported Russian crude in 2024, 112—or 26%—are now under Washington’s sanctions.
Ukraine imposes sanctions on Russian 'shadow fleet' captains, cultural heritage looters
President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved sanctions against 57 captains of Russia’s "shadow fleet," a group of tankers routinely used to evade sanctions targeting Russia's oil trade, and 55 individuals involved in looting Ukraine’s cultural heritage in occupied Crimea.
Russia's oil tanker crash causes 'worst ecological catastrophe,' with Black Sea in need of a decade to recover
On the night of Dec. 15, 2024, two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, sank in the Kerch Strait, a narrow maritime connection between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, off the coast of occupied Crimea. Both vessels were constructed for service on rivers, not on the open
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