Russia's Baltic 'shadow fleet': new evidence of Russian military involvement
New evidence of Russia's involvement in the so-called shadow fleet, which Moscow uses to export oil to circumvent Western sanctions, has been found in the Baltic Sea. This was stated by the Swedish Navy, despite the Kremlin's official denials of the existence of such a scheme. It is reported by The Public with reference to tvpworld.
The head of the Swedish Navy's operational command, Marko Petrovic, told Swedish broadcaster SVT that military personnel in Russian uniforms were spotted on some ships carrying Russian oil. This information was confirmed by the Swedish Coast Guard, which noted the constant presence of Russian Baltic Fleet ships in certain areas along shipping routes.
According to the Swedish Coast Guard, 500 to 1,000 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet may be operating in the seas, with more than 300 of them flying false flags. There have also been cases in the region where Russian military pilots have helped tankers navigate the shallow Danish Straits.
Stockholm notes that Russia is constantly increasing its activity in the Baltic Sea, and the presence of such vessels has become commonplace. At the same time, the Swedish Navy believes that NATO's increased vigilance has had an effect. Since the launch of the Baltic Sentry mission in January this year, no new cases of sabotage against underwater infrastructure have been recorded.
The European Union this week introduced another package of sanctions against companies and individuals who help Russia circumvent oil restrictions, in particular through the shadow fleet.
