The international community is alarmed by the growth of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' which is used to circumvent sanctions and conduct operations against the West.
This fleet, comprising over 600 tankers in 2025 (up from 200 in 2022), not only sustains Russian finances, generating $180 billion in energy exports, but also erodes the global maritime order. The tankers sail under opaque flags from countries like Panama, Liberia, and Gabon, and use AIS transponder deactivation systems to conceal their origin.
Experts, such as Benjamin Hilgenstock from the Kyiv School of Economics, warn that these vessels are obsolete and poorly maintained, posing a threat of ecological disasters. Over 50% of the fleet is older than 15 years, and crews often consist of citizens from developing countries who are abandoned on board for months or years.
However, the role of this fleet extends beyond economic smuggling. According to NATO, at least 25 incidents of sabotage, espionage, and vandalism against alliance military facilities were recorded in the first five months of 2025, linked to operations using the fleet as cover. In the Baltic Sea, Russian vessels like the Eagle S have been equipped with underwater drones to map fiber-optic cables and gas pipelines, according to IISS reports.
Western nations are intensifying pressure. In October 2025, the EU, UK, and US imposed sanctions on 40 third-country entities facilitating evasion. The US is considering the 'Ghost Fleet' bill, which would allow for the seizure of vessels in international waters. Analysts from the Atlantic Council urge a 'united front' with mandatory inspections and international insurance to neutralize this threat.
'It's a floating time bomb,' summarizes Tomer Raanan, an analyst at Lloyd’s List. As Russia operates in the shadows, the world holds its breath, awaiting the next sabotage or spill that could ignite a major conflict.
