Since July 2024, an Aframax-class oil tanker (IMO 9247443), operating without Western insurance, has been conducting unauthorized ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of crude oil in international waters near Greece and Cyprus.
These operations are part of russia's broader strategy to obscure the origin of its oil, evade sanctions, and supply third countries outside international oversight. They also pose serious environmental risks, as such transfers often involve aging vessels, no lighting, and deliberate disabling of identification systems.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has published details of the vessel (IMO 9247443) on the War & Sanctions portal, identifying it as a floating transshipment hub used by russia to move sanctioned oil covertly.
The newly released data includes information on 159 tankers in the so-called "shadow fleet" and 55 captains involved in these illicit activities.
russia's shadow fleet uses high-risk practices, including disabling AIS (automatic identification systems), GPS spoofing, nighttime transfers without navigation lights, flags of convenience and fake shell companies, and operating uninsured and technically outdated vessels.
These activities pose severe environmental threats, especially near EU coastlines, and increase the risk of catastrophic marine accidents.
Beyond sanctions evasion, the shadow fleet has also been linked to hybrid warfare operations. Several ships have been involved in reconnaissance and sabotage missions in the Baltic Sea, monitoring NATO maritime infrastructure and undersea cables.
DIU has identified 577 tankers involved in sanctions evasion, with a combined deadweight exceeding 63 million metric tons.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine urges the international community to intensify pressure by:
DIU continues to expose the financial and logistical networks enabling russia's war machine. The War & Sanctions platform remains a tool for systematic disruption and international counteraction against russia's shadow maritime logistics.