Russia is trying to create a new “shadow fleet” to circumvent sanctions
2.10.2026 - 11:23
Russia has begun to commission newly built vessels that can be used as part of a “shadow fleet” to circumvent sanctions and export LNG.
This is reported by The Telegraph with reference to the British Foreign Office.
According to the British side, at least two new LNG tankers about 300 meters long — Aleksey Kosygin and Konstantin Posiet — were built in Russia and put into operation in 2026. Both vessels are capable of operating in Arctic conditions and overcoming ice up to two meters thick.
Another new vessel, Pyotr Stolypin, also entered the fleet this year.
In London, it is believed that Moscow is not only using old tankers to circumvent sanctions, but is also forming a new fleet of vessels specially adapted for exporting energy resources, in particular through the Arctic.
The United Kingdom has included these vessels in the new sanctions package along with the tankers Portovyy, Chaivo, Avacha, Bebek-E and the Galle Energy vessel. Previously, USM reported that the UK has imposed new sanctions against vessels of the Russian “shadow fleet”.
