EditRussia prepares to arm its shadow fleet
Moscow moves toward militarized safeguards as Ukraine’s drone campaign and NATO coordination tighten the noose
Russia is intensifying efforts to safeguard its vital maritime oil and gas exports amid a wave of attacks and heightened international scrutiny on its so-called “shadow fleet.”
Nikolai Patrushev, a longtime confidant of President Vladimir Putin and chairman of the Russian Maritime Board, recently outlined aggressive countermeasures in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper. These include the possible deployment of armed naval patrols, onboard defensive systems, and dedicated protection teams for Russian-flagged vessels. The statements underscore Moscow’s frustration with what it perceives as an orchestrated Western campaign to disrupt its energy trade, even as global maritime security dynamics grow more complex.
Countering attacks and reasserting control
The shadow fleet, a network of tankers and other vessels often operating under foreign flags with deceptive practices such as GPS manipulation, has been central to Russia’s strategy for evading Western sanctions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
These ships have enabled continued exports of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), sustaining government revenues critical to funding military operations. However, the fleet has increasingly come under direct threat. Ukraine has conducted several strikes, including a claimed attack on the oil tanker Qendil in the Mediterranean in December 2025 and multiple incidents in the Black Sea targeting both shadow fleet vessels and Russian warships using naval drones.
A particularly alarming episode occurred earlier this month when the Russian-flagged LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz caught fire and was damaged – Russia attributes the incident to Ukrainian sea drones launched from Libya, labeling it an act of international terrorism. The vessel, left adrift and posing environmental risks, highlighted vulnerabilities in unprotected commercial shipping. Patrushev described such incidents as part of an “unprecedented campaign” by “third-rate sea powers” against shipments from Russian ports.
In response, Moscow is exploring a multifaceted defence strategy: real-time monitoring of maritime traffic, stricter inspections of incoming foreign vessels, and enhanced export controls to prioritize national interests.
Patrushev emphasized shifting away from reliance on “convenient flags” and dubious evasion tactics toward building a robust national maritime capability. This includes developing domestic shipbuilding, repair facilities, port infrastructure, and insurance mechanisms. More Russian vessels are now openly flying the national flag as Western authorities pressure flag states to deny registry to suspected shadow fleet ships. He argued that political, diplomatic, and legal avenues have proven insufficient against persistent threats, warning that new measures would follow if European countries escalate actions at sea. Proposals under consideration include “mobile firing groups”, armed escort teams requested via port captains, and “special means of defence” installed directly on ships, potentially arming civilian tankers against drone threats.
Broader geopolitical ripples and international responses
Patrushev’s remarks extend beyond immediate maritime security, touching on intertwined global conflicts. He criticized the ongoing U.S.-led military operations against Iran, referred to in some contexts as Operation Epic Fury, as a “tragedy” without justification, arguing it disrupts global energy markets and maritime logistics with unpredictable humanitarian and economic fallout.
While surging oil prices have temporarily boosted Russia’s export revenues by up to $150 million daily, Patrushev cautioned that these gains are fleeting and risk alienating longstanding Middle Eastern partners. The Kremlin has shared targeting intelligence with Iran and offered mediation, reflecting a balance amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s promises of naval escorts for tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
On the Western side, efforts to constrain the shadow fleet have intensified. A NATO Shadow fleet symposium held on 17 March, at NATO headquarters, co-organized with the Netherlands and Portugal, brought together experts to share best practices and coordinate actions. Discussions focused on legal frameworks, operational updates, and collaboration with the European External Action Service. NATO Deputy secretary general Radmila Shekerinska highlighted the fleet’s role in funding Russia’s war efforts, rebuilding military forces, and endangering marine environments and maritime safety. European coastal states have conducted boardings, detentions, and seizures of suspect vessels, with actions by Belgium, France, Sweden, and others signaling a more assertive enforcement posture.
These developments illustrate a deepening divide in global trade enforcement. While the U.S. has occasionally eased restrictions, such as permitting sanctioned Russian oil deliveries to India to moderate prices, Europe maintains stricter pressure. Patrushev’s warnings signal Russia’s readiness to militarise commercial shipping protection, potentially escalating tensions in key waterways like the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Baltic. If implemented, naval escorts or armed merchant vessels could transform routine energy transports into strategic military operations, raising risks of confrontations and further complicating international maritime norms.
Sources: Financial Times, Kommersant, Kyiv Independent, NATO press release
Environmental time bomb: damaged Russian LNG tanker adrift in the Mediterranean
Caption: A handout photo made available by the Belgian Defense Ministry on 1 March 2026 shows Belgian army intercepting and boarding oil tanker Ethera, registered in Guinea (IMO: 9387279), sanctioned by the EU and linked to Russa’s so-called shadow fleet, during operation Blue Intruder in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, Belgium, overnight from 29 February to 1 March 2026. Belgian Defence Minister Francken announced that the Belgian army boarded and seized the oil tanker Ethera believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet and called operation
Updated: March 20, 2026 - 15:33
