Explosion damages Russian tanker carrying a million barrels of oil near Libya, Ukraine reveals details

According to the intelligence agency, the tanker was flying the flag of the Marshall Islands and was loaded with at least 1 million barrels of crude oil.

It is noted that the Vilamoura has repeatedly been used to transport oil products from Russian ports. For example, in April 2025, the tanker was at the Ust-Luga port terminal. In May, it was tracked near Novorossiysk.

Photo: Russian shadow fleet tanker Vilamoura towed to Greece after explosion near Libya

As of July 1, the firefighting tug Boka Summit, flying the Maltese flag, is towing the tanker damaged by the explosion to the Laconian Gulf in Greece for an assessment of the vessel's condition.

The owner of the Vilamoura tanker is the shipping company TMS Tanker Ltd., registered in Marousi, Greece.

Sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet

Recently, the UK government introduced a new sanctions package targeting Russia. These economic restrictions focus on the shadow fleet and organizations that support Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

According to the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, as of last month, Russia's shadow fleet included up to 1,000 mostly outdated vessels with a total deadweight of more than 100 million tons. These ships are used to export oil and oil products.

At the end of May, the European Union approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia. The restrictions affected 189 vessels from third countries that are part of Russia's shadow fleet and responsible for transporting Russian oil.

Additionally, in June, Australia hit the Kremlin's shadow fleet for the first time. Dozens of tankers financing the war are now under sanctions.