Among the crews of the Russian “shadow fleet” ships are mercenaries who fought against Ukraine
9.06.2026 - 16:03
Some of the Russian mercenaries who accompanied the tankers of the Russian “shadow fleet” fought against Ukraine.
This is stated in an international investigation by 13 publications, including the “Dossier” center, Ukrinform reports.
Thus, the “Dossier” center, studying the Russian “shadow fleet”, gained access to the crew lists of more than two thousand vessels that were subject to US and EU sanctions, and were also included in the list of the State Reserve of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The data covers the period from January 2023 to mid-April 2026 and contains information on almost 16 thousand voyages – this is about 325 thousand records: surnames, first names and patronymics (if available), dates of birth, diploma numbers, positions on the vessel, qualifications, citizenship, passport numbers and places of birth.
Among the thousands of sailors, captains and engineers, 83 people were noticed who had no maritime documents — neither a seaman’s passport, nor a diploma number, nor qualifications. They appear 306 times in the crew lists of 65 tankers. In 32 cases, their position on the ship is marked as “guard”. In fact, they are mercenaries.
Their identities were verified using leaked personal data and internal documents of the Wagner Group, which are available to journalists.
At least 28 people served in various private military companies, mainly in the Wagner PMC (18 people), but also in RSB-Group, Moran Security Group and Redut.
According to investigators, 48 of the 83 people probably have such experience, since they have been in Syria in recent years.
Among the veterans of the Russian “shadow fleet” is Dmitry Savitsky, who has been fighting in eastern Ukraine on the side of Russian forces since 2014.
It is noted that the PMC employees controlled the crew, and their presence guaranteed that the oil would reach buyers, even if European countries tried to forcefully prevent the tanker from moving.
Earlier, USM reported that Sweden may transfer the Caffa vessel to Ukraine – the court qualified the actions of the owners as a war crime.
