EU warned over Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of up to 1,400 ships

The so-called Russian “shadow fleet,” used to circumvent international oil sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine, is raising increasing concerns within the European Union.

According to a working paper prepared for a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday in Luxembourg, the fleet is now estimated to include between 600 and 1,400 tankers.

Experts advising EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said the vessels not only contribute to the Russian war economy but also create major risks for the environment and maritime safety, according to a document seen by dpa.

Accidents involving these vessels could trigger oil spills and other marine pollution, with devastating effects on coastal areas, ecosystems and fisheries.

Many of the ships have opaque ownership structures and are either uninsured or underinsured. In such cases, experts note, taxpayers of coastal states could be left to cover the costs of any environmental damage.

Moscow has been relying on the shadow fleet for years to bypass a Western-imposed price cap on Russian oil. This often involves chartering older vessels with difficult-to-trace ownership and employing tactics to conceal the origin of oil cargoes.

Some ships have had their satellite-based automatic identification system (AIS) transponders switched off or manipulated, while others have transferred oil between tankers on the high seas.

Ships as a platform for drone attacks

Experts also warn that shadow fleet ships could be used as platforms for launching drones for jamming or espionage attacks. This concern grew following mysterious drone sightings in Denmark, which temporarily disrupted air traffic over the Copenhagen area.

To tackle the problem, Kallas is proposing stronger action against the vessels and shipping companies involved, alongside closer cooperation with coastal states and countries under whose flags the ships operate. Ideally, such states would consent to inspections by EU naval forces.

Since June 2025, three EU naval missions have been tasked with monitoring the shadow fleet and gathering intelligence, including Operation Aspides, which primarily aims to protect merchant vessels in the Red Sea from attacks by the Yemeni Houthi militia.

More than 560 ships on sanctions list

Looking ahead, the EU plans to expand its sanctions list. The number of ships facing port bans and punitive measures, pending approval from EU member states, is set to rise from 444 to 562 under the 19th EU-Russia sanctions package, according to the document.