As US sanctions tighten, Russia is using a secretive network of oil tankers known as the “shadow fleet” to keep exporting oil. These ships allow Moscow to keep trading oil despite restrictions on insurance, financing, and tracking.
Since 2022, Russian-linked buyers have purchased more than two hundred secondhand tankers, many previously owned by European firms. The vessels operate under foreign flags and rely on non-Western insurance to avoid detection.
The Fleet That Keeps Moscow Afloat
Oil exports remain the lifeline of Russia’s economy and its war in Ukraine. The shadow fleet now accounts for roughly 15 percent of global crude tanker capacity, quietly delivering oil to China, India, and Turkey. This parallel system keeps money flowing into the Kremlin’s pockets while undermining American efforts to block it.
How Does It Work?
The fleet’s tactics are simple but effective. In international waters, one tanker transfers Russian
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