German authorities have reported that a stranded oil tanker in their waters is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” allegedly used to bypass Western sanctions.
The tanker, Eventin, which sails under a Panamanian flag, lost power and steering in the Baltic Sea near the German island of Rügen. Tugboats were dispatched to secure the vessel, which is 274 meters long and carrying 99,000 tonnes of oil. Specialists were deployed by helicopter to establish towing connections, and the ship is being moved to the port town of Sassnitz.
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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russia of jeopardizing European security by employing “dilapidated oil tankers” to circumvent sanctions. Moscow has yet to respond to these allegations.
The “shadow fleet” is a term used to describe older ships with murky ownership, lacking standard maritime insurance, and frequently changing their names and flags. Western nations, including the US, UK, and EU, claim that these vessels fund Russia’s war efforts by transporting oil despite embargoes imposed following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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In response, Western powers have targeted Russian energy companies and vessels associated with this fleet. The US recently sanctioned 183 ships linked to Russian oil operators, while the UK imposed measures to undermine companies like Gazprom Neft.
German authorities reported no oil leaks from the tanker despite rough seas with 2.5-meter-high waves. The incident adds to ongoing tensions over alleged Russian activities in European waters, including undersea cable damage and border buoy displacements.
Western leaders continue to criticize Russia’s reliance on the shadow fleet as a threat to global security and the environment, emphasizing their commitment to weakening Moscow’s oil exports and war capabilities.