Catching Russia Sanctions Busters — From Orbit
The Russian military’s use of space technology in its war against Ukraine has been well-documented, with kinetic direct-ascent, anti-satellite weapons tests and malicious cyberattacks on American satellite communications provider Viasat. However, the role of commercial geospatial imagers in tracking sanctions-evading vessels has received less attention.
One vessel that recently caught the attention of authorities was the Boracay, which refused to comply with maritime regulations when approached by enforcement officials. The ship’s attempts to circumvent international sanctions against Russia were thwarted by the availability of space-based commercial imagers, which provided real-time data on its movements.
The Boracay represents one vessel in a larger network of ships used to circumvent international sanctions against Russia. These vessels often operate in the shadows, making it difficult for authorities to track their movements and identify sanctionable activity. However, the growing availability of space-based commercial imagers has begun to change this dynamic.
Commercial satellite assets have produced data that is increasingly adept at mitigating the so-called dark ship problem that has traditionally plagued attempts to track and attribute illicit transfers and sanctionable activity. While web-based AIS charting platforms may appear to offer a comprehensive, perhaps even overwhelming, amount of vessel traffic information, the data set is only as good as the transmissions it receives.
For the most part, it really is a great situational awareness tool for the maritime environment. However, when sanctions-evading mariners wish to drop off the map, commercial satellite assets can provide the necessary visibility. The utility of these private-sector launched geospatial imagers has become so evident that a recent US security assistance package for Ukraine included “commercial satellite imagery services” in the package of capabilities provided by the Biden administration.
The use of space-based commercial imagers to track sanctions-evading vessels is just one example of how the growing availability of commercial space assets is changing the way we conduct national security operations. As the private space sector continues to grow and mature, it is likely that we will see even more innovative applications of these technologies in the years to come.
Despite this, there are still challenges associated with using commercial satellite assets for national security purposes. For example, the data provided by these systems may not always be accurate or timely, which can make it difficult to rely on them as a primary source of information.
However, when used in conjunction with other sources of intelligence, commercial satellite assets can provide a powerful tool for tracking sanctions-evading vessels and identifying sanctionable activity. As the international community continues to grapple with the challenges posed by Russia‘s war against Ukraine, it is likely that we will see even more innovative applications of these technologies in the years to come.
Crew Failed to Comply with Maritime Authorities
The Boracay represents one vessel in a larger network of ships used to circumvent international sanctions against Russia. These vessels often operate in the shadows, making it difficult for authorities to track their movements and identify sanctionable activity.
Part of Broader Shadow Fleet Operations
The growing availability of space-based commercial imagers has begun to change this dynamic. Commercial satellite assets have produced data that is increasingly adept at mitigating the so-called dark ship problem that has traditionally plagued attempts to track and attribute illicit transfers and sanctionable activity.
Enforcement Action Signals Stricter Approach
As the international community continues to enhance its capabilities in tracking sanctions evasion, the use of commercial satellite imagery will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with international laws and regulations.
Original Article: Catching Russia Sanctions Busters — From Orbit — Cepa