Russia's 'Shadow Fleet': How Aging Tankers Fund the War in Ukraine

The 'Shadow Fleet' and War Financing

• 💡 Russia's "shadow fleet" of aging tankers is estimated to fund 30 to 40% of its war in Ukraine.
• 🎯 Halting these vessels could significantly impede Moscow's capacity to finance its military operations.

French Intervention and Legal Action

• 🇫🇷 The French Navy boarded the tanker Barakai, arresting two crew members for refusing to obey a summons and failing to justify the ship's nationality.
• ⚖️ The captain will face trial in February, while the other detainee was released.
• 📌 The Barakai is one of an estimated 800 to 1,000 tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil.

Circumventing Sanctions and Suspicions

• 🚢 Shipping data indicates the Barakai left a Russian port heading towards India, but its route and timing raised suspicions.
• ✈️ There are unconfirmed suggestions that the tanker may have been involved in drone flights that disrupted Danish air traffic.
• 🇪🇺 President Macron is urging Europe to increase pressure and follow France's lead in obstructing these vessels, beyond current EU sanctions.
• 🤝 NATO and a "coalition of the willing" are set to meet to discuss joint actions against the fleet.
• 🚫 Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced France's detention of the tanker as "piracy."