Zelenskyy: Russia has over 500 shadow fleet tankers, they need to be completely stopped
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported, citing Ukrainian intelligence, that Russia has more than 500 tankers in its shadow fleet operating under the flags of other countries.
Source: Zelenskyy at a meeting with journalists, as reported by Interfax‑Ukraine
Quote: "According to our data, there are more than 500 such tankers. They need to be stopped completely, as this would have a significant impact on energy trade and on European security. These tankers are also among the platforms used by Russia to launch drones."
Details: Zelenskyy emphasised the importance of continuing sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet, citing France's detention of a Russian tanker on 30 September as an example.
"The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported that the tanker Boracay set off from Russia's Primorsk. The tanker was stopped. Russian intelligence officers were on board. Importantly, the captain was a Chinese citizen. I think this is standard practice for the Russian Federation," he explained.
The Ukrainian leader noted that the tanker was released three days later.
"The shadow fleet – that's how it works. Even when a vessel is stopped, inspected, the captain summoned to court and removed from the ship, it doesn't mean that the oil won't continue on its route," Zelenskyy stressed.
Background:
- Denmark has announced stricter inspections of oil tankers to stop Russia's shadow fleet.
- Estonia stressed that the shadow fleet's activity in the Baltic Sea is becoming increasingly dangerous, and limiting it would significantly improve regional security.
- French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a stronger response to the shadow fleet in European waters.
- France detained one of the tankers off its Atlantic coast; the vessel eventually continued on its route.
- The European Union plans to add three companies to its sanctions list for issuing false documentation regarding the flag of certain countries to several Russian shadow-fleet tankers.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!