Russia has once again found a way to sidestep Western sanctions aimed at limiting its oil exports.
Resumed Operations
Moscow’s notorious "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, once thought to be on the decline due to increased scrutiny, is back in action, transporting Russian crude across the globe. This tactic is helping Russia fund its costly war in Ukraine, despite mounting economic pressure.
According to Bloomberg and El Economista, at least 17 shipments of Russian crude and refined oil have left Russian ports aboard sanctioned vessels since April. These shipments defy restrictions imposed by the U.S., U.K., and EU.
Many of these tankers were previously owned by Russian shipping giant Sovcomflot. Initially, they were idle due to sanctions but have resumed operations, delivering oil to countries like China and India.
Not Attempting to Conceal Movements
By August, the use of sanctioned tankers surged, with the trend continuing into September. Some of these vessels now operate without even attempting to conceal their movements, openly transporting crude to destinations such as China and India.
These ships are often old and poorly maintained, posing significant environmental risks, including oil spills, collisions, and even potential disasters in fragile areas like the Arctic.
The shadow fleet now includes over 1,400 vessels, with more than 230 transporting Russian oil through environmentally sensitive regions, such as the Danish Straits.
Analysts warn that Russia’s use of these risky tankers, coupled with the willingness of countries like India to refine Russian oil, is weakening the impact of Western sanctions.
