Ministry of Defense: Shadow Fleet Provides Up to 35-40% of the Russian Federation’s Military Budget
25.03.2026 - 11:23
About 1,500 tankers currently make up the so-called “shadow fleet” of Russia, which allows the aggressor to sell oil bypassing sanctions.
The money received is directed to the war against Ukraine, so blocking this channel is one of the priorities, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.
The ministry emphasized that more than 610 tankers of the shadow fleet have already been sanctioned.
“Our state is currently actively working in cooperation with partners on a strategy to counter the shadow fleet, joint actions at sea and strengthening sanctions. In addition, efforts are aimed at ensuring that the legislation of European countries allows not only to stop such vessels, but also to block them and confiscate oil,” the report says.
Revenues from the sale of oil through “shadow” schemes, according to various estimates, can form up to 35-40% of the Russian federal budget. These funds are used to purchase, for example, chips for Caliber missiles, the production of Shahed and Geran drones, with which Russia strikes Ukraine, as well as to pay contracts to soldiers.
“In addition, each oil tanker of the shadow fleet is a threat to the ecology of the countries near whose coasts it passes, due to its age and technical condition,” the Ministry of Defense emphasized.
Read also: The “Deyna” tanker from the Russian “shadow fleet” detained by France was delivered to Marseille.
