The Russian Shadow Fleet Pollutes Europe: Why Sanctions Are Powerless.

According to inkorr.com: Russian tankers from the so-called 'shadow fleet' continue to enter European waters, leaving behind oil pollution despite the sanctions imposed by the West. This has been made possible by a joint investigation by the non-profit journalism organization SourceMaterial and the publication Politico.

Sanctions and Their Evasion

In September, the European Commission proposed updating the black list by adding 118 new vessels connected to Russia as part of the 19th sanctions package. Experts are urging EU countries to impose restrictions on the 'entire value chain,' which includes the transportation of sanctioned oil, oil refineries, service providers, and ship registries. National coast guards should also detain vessels that have prior pollution, operate without legal insurance, or fly illegitimate flags.

The Problem of Water Pollution

The joint investigation by SourceMaterial and Politico has shown that Russian tankers from the 'shadow fleet' continue to ignore international norms, polluting European waters and neglecting sanctions. This underscores the need for strengthened oversight of the situation and the establishment of accountability for violators to avoid similar incidents in the future.

In the context of strengthened international sanctions, it is important to pay attention to the actions of the aggressor country and their impact on the ecology and safety in European waters. Appropriate measures can serve as a guarantee for the preservation of marine ecosystems and the enforcement of law and order in the field of international shipping.