Despite Western sanctions, at least five Russian navy tankers have been found illegally ferrying oil around European coastlines, leaving spills, a joint investigation reports.
Europe Struggles with Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Portal Politico reports that along European coastlines, oil spills from Russian vessels continue to occur despite Western sanctions. “This highlights the continent’s helplessness against Moscow’s so‑called shadow fleet,” reads the article. These ships often have unclear ownership structures and are used to illegally transport Russian oil to circumvent sanctions.
The investigation found that in the past year, at least five tankers owned by the Russian navy, bypassing sanctions, freely sailed European waters while leaving oil slicks near the continent. The findings come from a joint investigation by the nonprofit journalistic organization SourceMaterial and Politico, underscoring how difficult it is for Western states to curb Russia’s oil export and reduce the risk of ecological disaster on their waters.
Shadow Fleet Consists of at Least 1,300 Vessels
According to data from analytical firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence, the so‑called shadow fleet now numbers 1,300 vessels and is linked to numerous oil spills and damage to critical subsea infrastructure.
Experts warn that the technical shortcomings of the vessels increase the risk of accidents and collisions, and their unclear ownership makes them practically untraceable and difficult to hold accountable by Western authorities. Because of sanctions, most of them sail without proper insurance.
The fleet is a desperate and dangerous attempt by Putin to maintain oil profits while polluting seas, said a spokesperson for the British Foreign Office.
Over 560 Shadow Fleet Vessels Enter Blacklist
The European Commission approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia in the second half of September. The Union aims to hit the Russian energy sector and curb revenues.
Brussels has proposed a ban on importing Russian liquefied natural gas. Russia’s war economy is sustained by petroleum revenues; the EU wants to limit those funds by banning Russian LNG imports into European markets. “It’s time to close the tap,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The ban will take effect earlier than planned – from January 2027 instead of the end of 2027.
Proposals also include a transaction ban on Russian oil company Rosneft and on Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of the gas monopoly. Additionally, another 118 vessels from the shadow fleet will be added to the comprehensive blacklist. These are vessels that transport Russian oil and breach international sanctions. The total list now exceeds 560 units.
The sanctions also target refineries, oil trading firms and petrochemical companies in third‑country states, including China. Von der Leyen declared that by the end of the year Europe must stop buying Russian oil.
