Putin wants more decisive action to protect the tanker fleet.Image: keystone
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has called on his naval commanders to take decisive action to protect the fleet against alleged hijacking attempts by the West.
July 27, 2026, 02:48July 27, 2026, 02:48
This must be done within the framework of international maritime law, “but decisively, just as one must act against piracy and pirates”. With this request to the commanders of Russia’s various fleets, Putin left it open at the meeting in St. Petersburg whether the required protection only meant tankers flying the Russian flag or also for the tankers of Russia’s shadow fleet.
Russia’s shadow fleet primarily includes tankers that fly under the flags of other countries and circumvent Western sanctions against the sale of Russian oil. Moscow uses this revenue for its war chest. According to international estimates, this fleet includes up to 700 often dilapidated tankers. Western countries have captured at least ten of these ships since the beginning of last year.
Most recently, according to an ARD investigation, Russia armed some of these crews. In addition, the tankers in the Baltic Sea are often accompanied by Russian warships into the open sea of the Atlantic. (sda/dpa)