Former Wagner fighters found aboard Russia's shadow fleet tankers
Former Wagner fighters reportedly monitored crews aboard vessels in Russia's shadow fleet (photo: Getty Images)
Since the spring of 2025, individuals with no maritime credentials but with combat experience in the war against Ukraine have appeared aboard tankers in Russia's shadow fleet, according to an international investigation by 13 media outlets, including the Dossier Center.
Who was found among the crews
Journalists examined crew lists of more than 2,000 vessels that have been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, as well as those included on the list maintained by Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate.
The data covers the period from January 2023 to mid-April 2026 and includes about 325,000 records related to nearly 16,000 voyages. The records contain surnames, dates of birth, passport numbers, positions, and qualifications of crew members.
Among thousands of seafarers, 83 individuals stand out. They have one thing in common: no maritime documents whatsoever — no seafarer's passport, no diploma, and no qualifications.
These individuals appear 306 times in the crew lists of 65 tankers. In 32 cases, their board position was listed as "security guard." In practice, they were mercenaries.
The identities of these individuals were verified using leaked personal data and internal documents of the Wagner Group.
Who are these people
At least 28 individuals served in private military companies:
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18 in the Wagner Group
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The rest in RSB-Group, Moran Security Group, and Redut
According to the investigators, another 48 of the 83 individuals also appear to have combat experience, having spent recent years in Syria.
Among the mercenaries was a participant in the war against Ukraine
One of those identified was Dmitry Savitsky, who has fought on the side of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine since 2014.
According to the investigators' conclusions, PMC personnel controlled the crews. Their presence was intended to ensure oil deliveries reached buyers even if European countries attempted to stop a tanker by force.
Earlier reports said that Russia planned to use warships and mobile fire groups to protect vessels belonging to its shadow fleet. The move was driven by concerns over increasing Western pressure on tankers.
Meanwhile, on June 1, military personnel boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time as part of Operation IRINI. Before that, the mission had been limited to monitoring activities only.
