Kallas appoints special envoy to target Russia's shadow fleet
Photo: Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The head of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has appointed a special envoy-coordinator to strengthen efforts against Russia's shadow fleet, according to the official EU website.
Kallas emphasized that the shadow fleet funds Russia's war of aggression and serves as a platform for launching hybrid attacks. To ensure decisive measures in combating it, she appointed a special envoy-coordinator.
According to Kallas, on October 20, EU ministers discussed stronger response measures, including granting additional powers to inspect vessels of the shadow fleet.
"I've also designated a special envoy-coordinator to gather best practices from different member states across the Union and also to be acting more swiftly on these points to further cut Russian war funds," she said.
Kallas added that reducing Russia's military spending requires a much stronger EU-level approach to fight the shadow fleet.
Russia’s shadow fleet
Currently, one in six tankers in the world is part of Russia's shadow fleet — about 17% of the global total.
Since early 2025, analysts have identified 940 vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet — 45% more than last year.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) earlier reported that Russia's shadow fleet consists of up to 1,000 vessels with a total deadweight exceeding 100 million tons. Most are old, low-cost tankers used to export oil and petroleum products.
Moreover, tankers from Russia's shadow fleet continue dumping oil near European shores despite sanctions, raising fears of an environmental disaster in the EU.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that on September 19, the European Commission introduced its 19th sanctions package against Russia, which includes additional restrictions targeting the country's shadow fleet.
