Russia Accelerates Shadow Fleet Creation Amid EU LNG Import Ban
Russia is transporting oil and stolen grain on 26 ships, according to intelligence data released by Ukraine's Ministry of Defence. The information was published in the 'Marine Vessels' section of the War&Sanctions portal.
The list includes oil tankers carrying Russian oil and petroleum products from ports in the Black Sea and Baltic regions for companies such as Lukoil, Rosneft, Surgutneftegas, Novatek, Tatneft, and Gazprom. Bulk carriers are also exporting agricultural products from occupied Ukrainian territories via ports in Berdiansk, Sevastopol, Kerch, and Feodosia.
Eighteen of the 26 vessels published are not under sanctions imposed by Ukraine's partner countries. The data suggests that Russia is accelerating the creation of a 'shadow fleet' to transport liquefied natural gas ahead of the European Union's complete ban on Russian LNG imports in January 2027.