Albania blocks Russian shadow fleet tanker from entering its port
Photo: Another Russian tanker was unable to reach a foreign port (Getty Images)
On August 29, 2026, Albania denied the oil tanker HANUMAN (IMO 9295048) entry into the port of Durrës. The reason was that the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) had previously classified the vessel as part of Russia's shadow fleet.
The tanker in question has been on the radar of Ukrainian military intelligence for quite some time.
Back in January, it was added to the War&Sanctions portal's database as an active participant in Russia’s shadow fleet.
"Albania’s decision to deny HANUMAN entry to its port is an important demonstration of international solidarity regarding sanctions," the HUR emphasizes.
Such vessels employ risky and opaque shipping practices that allow Russia to circumvent international sanctions and channel revenue from oil exports to finance the war against Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the scale of HANUMAN's operations is significant. Since the beginning of 2025, the tanker has exported at least 452,000 metric tons of Russian fuel. The vessel made voyages from Novorossiysk to Türkiye, Senegal, and the UAE, as well as to a transshipment area near Augusta, Italy.
Logistical support for these voyages was provided by the Russian company OOO Altoprae Marine from Novorossiysk. According to HUR, it was founded and is managed by one of the top executives linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Gennady Timchenko, who is described as a close associate of Vladimir Putin.
Altoprae Marine is also involved in servicing other tankers in the Russian shadow fleet, specifically the EVENTIN (IMO 9308065) and the CORDELIA MOON (currently named WALRUS, IMO 9297888). Both vessels are subject to international sanctions and have been linked to incidents that posed a threat to environmental safety.
In addition, according to Ukrainian intelligence, a Russian company is involved in the operations of ships owned by OOO Rosewood Shipping, a company belonging to Oksana Marchenko—the wife of Viktor Medvedchuk.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on how Vladimir Putin had begun threatening the West over Russian ships.
In July 2026, the EU added another 41 ships to the sanctions list targeting the shadow fleet.
