Shadow fleet of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela: Ukrainian intel releases data on 66 vessels
The Main Directorate of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has published data on 66 vessels belonging to the so-called shadow fleet of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela on the War&Sanctions portal, as well as ships involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain and those exposed for violating Ukraine’s state border.
The DIU reported this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.
Information about the relevant vessels is posted in the “Maritime Vessels” section.
Ukrainian military intelligence is exposing, in particular, the activities of tankers from the network of the Cymare group of companies – Cyprus-based Cymare Shipmanagement Ltd and UAE-based Cymare Navigation FZC.
Since 2023, the tanker fleet of this group has been freely supplying Russia with oil revenues to continue its war against Ukraine, while disguising itself through registration in European Union member states.
The group’s top manager is a UK national, Nikolay Spichenok. For a long time, he has held senior positions at Russia’s largest state shipping company, the public joint-stock company Sovcomflot, as well as in affiliated entities.
The Sovcomflot is under sanctions imposed by most countries of the sanctions coalition. The company provides transportation of Russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas, and cooperates with leading Russian oil and gas companies and traders.
Tankers from the “orbit” of the Sovcomflot, including those involved in transporting oil and petroleum products to and from Venezuela, are increasingly changing their flags to Russian ones, which effectively confirms their involvement in servicing the military and economic interests of the aggressor state. Previously, such shadow fleet vessels sailed under the flags of third countries to evade sanctions.
This trend directly corresponds to the provisions of Russia’s Maritime Doctrine, which envisages expanding the civilian fleet under the Russian flag and using it to ensure “national interests” in the World Ocean, increasing mobilization readiness in the maritime sphere, and integrating civilian vessels and crews into the Russian armed forces during wartime.
The DIU urges captains and crews of shadow fleet vessels to avoid cooperation with shadow company operators.
“Unscrupulous shadow fleet operators are the first to disappear as soon as a vessel comes to the attention of law enforcement authorities – leaving sailors alone with the legal, financial, and humanitarian consequences of the crime,” intelligence officials emphasize.
As reported, the so-called shadow fleet consists of about 1,500 tankers transporting Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil worldwide. These vessels are usually older than standard tankers and often use false flags to appear legitimate while disregarding international regulations.
Recently, a group of 14 European countries issued an open warning to shadow fleet tankers in the Baltic and North seas, raising the stakes for vessels that threaten maritime safety.
Photo: Defense Intelligence Ukraine