Kremlin expands its shadow fleet - Intelligence reveals Russia’s new plans
Ships (Photo: open sources)
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported that the Kremlin plans to increase the number of oil tankers sailing under the Russian flag, according to its article.
Reason for the strategy change
According to intelligence data, Moscow took this step because ships transporting Russian oil, in an attempt to circumvent sanctions, are being detained more frequently.
In recent months, such tankers have increasingly been detained by European countries and the US.
In addition, intelligence does not rule out that these actions may be linked to possible coordination between Russia and Iran.
This concerns ensuring the safe passage of shadow fleet vessels through areas of military conflict in the Middle East.
Plan to re-register dozens of tankers
In the near future, a sanctioned entity of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping plans to carry out identification and technical inspections of about 80 tankers, after which they are expected to be re-registered.
According to intelligence data, the vessels are registered in various countries, including Seychelles (35 tankers), China (23), Azerbaijan (13), and Samoa (8).
The list also includes shipowners registered in Vietnam, India, the UAE, and the Marshall Islands.
Possible threats to the West
Ukrainian intelligence believes that increasing the number of tankers sailing under the Russian flag could make it easier to place agents from Russian intelligence services on board such vessels.
According to the agency, this could be used for intelligence gathering and sabotage activities against Western countries, particularly in the Baltic Sea region, through which more than 40% of Russia’s seaborne oil exports pass.
Example of using the shadow fleet
Ukrainian intelligence also recalled the case of the tanker BELLA 1. In January 2026, the vessel, which was transporting oil on behalf of Iran and Venezuela, received Russian registration after it was discovered to be operating under a fake Guyana flag.
According to Ukrainian intelligence assessments, such actions give the Kremlin additional opportunities to use these ships as a tool of hybrid pressure on European countries and other Western states.
The Russian army has entered a stage of gradual degradation, and even the rapid increase in missile and strike-drone production cannot reverse this trend.
At the same time, Russia intends to increase the number of unmanned systems units to 101,000 personnel, hoping to regain the initiative on the battlefield.
