Russian oil tankers

Russian shadow fleet tanker nearly sinks after drone strike in Rostov-on-Don

A Russian shadow fleet tanker, Valeriy Gorchakov, was left almost completely submerged after its stern was hit by drones, according to photos published by the monitoring Telegram channel Krymsky Veter.

22 December 2025, 11:50 AM

Oil tanker sinking in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don after Ukrainian drone strike

Valeriy Gorchakov, a Russian oil tanker hit by Ukrainian drones in the port of Rostov-on-Don earlier on Dec. 18, is visibly taking on water and sinking near an oil terminal, Russian Telegram channel Astra reported.

18 December 2025, 11:07 PM

Drones torch oil tanker at Russia’s Rostov-on-Don

A tanker caught fire after a drone attack on the port of Rostov-on-Don and the town of Bataysk in Russia’s southern Rostov Oblast overnight, Mayor Alexander Skryabin reported on Telegram early on Dec. 18.

18 December 2025, 08:46 AM

Turkey uneasy about Ukraine attacking Russian oil tankers in Black Sea

The recent attacks on oil tankers believed to be part of Russia’s sanction-busting “shadow fleet” represent a “disturbing escalation” that threatens maritime security in the Black Sea, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Dec. 1.

1 December 2025, 11:58 PM

Ukraine’s Sea Baby drones disable two Russian shadow-fleet tankers in Black Sea operation

Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) Sea Baby maritime drones, operating in a joint mission with Ukraine’s Navy, struck two sanctioned Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea, sources within the SBU told NV on Nov. 29.

29 November 2025, 03:02 PM

Russia expands shadow fleet of nearly 1,000 tankers to skirt sanctions

Russia has built a vast sanctions-evasion network by creating a so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, The New York Times reported on Sept. 22.

22 September 2025, 11:15 AM

Explosion in the Mediterranean: Ukraine’s HUR details fire aboard Russian shadow fleet tanker — photos

The Vilamoura tanker, which suffered an explosion in its engine room, had been repeatedly used to illegally transport petroleum products from Russian ports in violation of sanctions, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry intelligence agency (HUR) said on July 1.

1 July 2025, 12:28 PM

EU to shut backdoor: Commission moves to fully block Russian oil

The European Commission has proposed a ban on the purchase of oil products made from Russian crude as part of its 18th sanctions package against Russia, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR) reported on June 12.

12 June 2025, 05:11 PM

EU strikes Russia’s shadow fleet in 17th sanctions package

The European Union has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas wrote on X on May 20.

20 May 2025, 02:54 PM

India’s oil giants turn away from Russian crude

Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the country's largest oil refiner, announced a tender for high-sulfur oil from the spot market, expecting the latest U.S. sanctions to hit Russian supplies, Reuters reported on Jan. 16.

17 January 2025, 09:54 AM

Russia’s $10 billion ghost fleet effort to dodge sanctions

Moscow has developed a strategy to evade Western sanctions by utilizing a shadow fleet that consists of hundreds of tankers that constantly change flags, pump oil on the high seas, and disable identification systems to avoid detection. They allow Russia to continue exporting oil, which is essential to funding its war effort in Ukraine.

9 January 2025, 01:31 PM

Russian oil tankers