Ukraine sanctions 91 vessels in Russia’s “shadow fleet”

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree enacting a decision by the National Security and Defence Council to impose sanctions on 91 vessels identified as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” according to Ukrainian officials.

The vessels were used by the Russian Federation to transport oil and petroleum products from key Russian ports — including Novorossiysk, Ust-Luga, and Primorsk — to third countries, circumventing sanctions imposed by the European Union, the G7, and other international partners. Monitoring operations conducted in the Black Sea, the Red Sea, and the Baltic Sea reportedly confirmed the vessels’ involvement in these activities, Caliber.Az reports via Ukraine's presidential press service.

Ukrainian authorities stated that the sanctioned ships sailed under the flags of approximately 20 different countries. Only one of the vessels flew the Russian flag. The remaining ships were registered under the flags of Panama, Liberia, Cameroon, Barbados, the Marshall Islands, Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, Tonga, Palau, Guinea, the Comoros, the Bahamas, Indonesia, Malawi, Guinea-Bissau, Djibouti, Guyana, and Eswatini.

Kyiv said it will share relevant information with the states whose flags were used and will continue coordinating with international partners to synchronize sanctions measures across jurisdictions.

Of the 91 vessels, 27 are already under sanctions imposed by partners including the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the European Union. Ukrainian officials indicated that efforts are underway to secure sanctions against the remaining 64 vessels.

Ukrainian authorities emphasised that targeting Russia’s shadow fleet is a strategic priority, arguing that it directly impacts Moscow’s ability to finance its war effort through oil exports.

“Shadow fleet tankers are a key instrument for circumventing oil sanctions; therefore, their identification and the imposition of sanctions against them must proceed swiftly and without exceptions. Each such vessel should be regarded as an element of financing Russia’s war machine,” Advisor – Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk said.

By Sabina Mammadli