Russia may use shadow fleet for military transport, — Politico
16.12.2024 - 15:11
Russia may use the so-called shadow fleet for strategic maritime transport.
Russia may use the shadow fleet to achieve strategic goals in military conflicts, Politico reports .
The fleet, which has expanded since the start of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, consists of ships that literally operate “in the shadows.” This fleet poses a risk to legally operating ships, coastal states, and the marine environment.
It also poses an additional threat to NATO members. As the publication notes, Russia may use these ships for strategic maritime transport.
According to estimates, the shadow fleet now makes up 17% of the world’s oil tanker fleet. That is, the owners of more than 1,000 merchant ships have sided with Russia.
Strategic maritime transport is one of the types of military activity. In particular, commercial ships transport equipment necessary for the army – from tanks to fuel. So, if Russia decides to start a new military conflict, it may use the shadow fleet.
USM previously reported that the EU has adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia. The new measures are aimed, in particular, at combating sanctions evasion by the Russian shadow fleet and at weakening Russia’s military-industrial complex.
