Three of Five Tankers Hit by US Forces Tied to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Three of the five tankers struck by U.S. forces on September 8 have direct links to Russia’s shadow fleet, according to Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Commissioner for Sanctions Policy of the President of Ukraine.
The three tankers, Kaviz, Charminar, and Riesco, transported Russian oil, called at Russian ports, and were used to operate under sanctions. According to Vlasiuk, the Kaviz called at Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk, transported Russian oil, and had a history of disabling its AIS tracking system. The vessel was linked to Fractal Marine DMCC, a company described as one of the key operators of Russia’s shadow fleet in the first years after oil sanctions were introduced.
Charminar’s Ties to Iranian Oil Magnate
The Charminar called at Ust-Luga, Primorsk, Vysotsk, and St. Petersburg. After the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine, vessels linked to the company began being transferred to other managers, but operations involving Russian oil continued. At the same time, Charminar is linked to a shipping empire controlled by Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, which operates with both Iranian and Russian oil.
Riesco’s Illustration of Sanctions Evasion
Vlasiuk noted that the Riesco is a good illustration of how the system operates. “The tanker transported both Russian and Iranian oil, including through ship-to-ship transfers with other sanctioned tankers.” This highlights the overlap between Russia’s and Iran’s shadow fleets, which operate through vessels, managers, intermediaries, and oil routes.
Sanctions Imposed on Vessels
Vlasiuk stressed that all three vessels are under sanctions imposed by Ukraine and the United States, while Kaviz is also subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland. “Russia’s and Iran’s shadow fleets overlap through vessels, managers, intermediaries, and oil routes. That is why the response to such vessels must be tough regardless of which flag they sail under or whose interests they formally serve,” he said.
Shadow Fleet as Infrastructure for Sanctions Evasion
The Commissioner emphasized that if a shadow fleet helps sanctioned states sell oil and generate revenue, it becomes part of the infrastructure for sanctions evasion. “The shadow fleet is increasingly viewed as a real threat rather than a formal sanctions-compliance issue. For Ukraine, this is a fundamentally important approach: sanctions must work not just on paper, but physically deprive sanctioned states of the ability to profit from oil and finance the war,” Vlasiuk stressed.
As reported by Ukrinform, U.S. forces struck five Iranian oil tankers in response to Iran’s attempts to strike a U.S. Navy vessel.
Original Article: Three of five tankers hit by U.S. forces tied to Russia’s shadow fleet – Ukraine — Ukrinform