Sweden reports Russian troops aboard shadow fleet oil tankers in Baltic Sea
Illustrative photo: oil tanker (Getty Images)
Swedish authorities have recorded the presence of Russian military personnel on shadow fleet tankers in the Baltic Sea that are used to circumvent sanctions, according to Swedish chief of operations Marko Petkovic.
According to the Swedish Navy, Russian military personnel have been spotted aboard some vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil.
Russia maintains a constant military presence along key maritime routes, despite officially denying the existence of a so-called shadow fleet used to bypass Western sanctions. Moscow continues to claim that the shadow fleet is a fabrication of the West.
"We have seen and received information that on some shadow fleet vessels, there are Russian personnel in uniform," Petkovic said.
Similar confirmations were provided by the Swedish Coast Guard, which reported a constant presence of Russian forces in special areas along sea routes.
Petkovic added that Moscow is continuing to strengthen its presence in the region, and monitoring Russian ships has become routine for the Swedish Navy. At the same time, increased NATO attention is having a positive effect on the security of maritime routes.
In early December, there were even instances in which crews of tankers carrying Russian oil received assistance from Russian military pilots while navigating narrow and shallow sections of the Danish straits.
According to Swedish Coast Guard estimates, between 500 and 1,000 shadow fleet vessels are currently operating at sea, more than 300 of them under foreign flags.
In addition to transporting oil, the shadow fleet is also suspected of involvement in the sabotage of undersea cables. However, since the launch of Operation Baltic Sentry in January, no acts of sabotage have been recorded.
"Regardless of whether this is a state action or crew incompetence, the mission has raised awareness among commercial shipping and forced it to act more cautiously in our waters," Petkovic added.
What is known about Russia’s shadow fleet
According to Ukrainian intelligence, roughly one in six tankers worldwide belongs to Russia’s shadow fleet, accounting for about 17% of all active tankers.
These vessels are also believed to be used as platforms for hybrid attacks against Europe.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on nearly 700 tankers belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet that transport sanctioned Russian oil.
On December 10, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) arrested a Russian shadow fleet vessel in Odesa.
