Ukraine's Intelligence Exposes 31 Vessels in Russian-Iranian Oil Smuggling Fleet.

Updated Intelligence on the Russian-Iranian Shadow Fleet

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian intelligence has released updated information on 31 vessels operating within a Russian-Iranian shadow fleet used to circumvent international sanctions. Among them is the tanker TRUVOR, which transports Russian oil and gas. Built in 2013, the TRUVOR is approximately 141 meters long with a deadweight tonnage exceeding 6,600. Its most recent known locations were the port of Kerch, which it visited in November 2025, and the Sheskharis terminal in Novorossiysk, from where it sailed to Egypt in December 2024.

In a related move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed sanctions on 225 captains of this shadow fleet, who are citizens of 11 different countries. These sanctions form part of Ukraine's broader strategy to disrupt the illicit export of Russian energy resources through covert channels. This shadow fleet is a critical tool for Moscow to sustain its oil revenues despite Western sanctions.

Vessels Facilitating Russian Oil and Gas Exports

Key vessels in the fleet are involved in exporting oil and gas for major Russian state-owned companies, including:

• 'Rosneft'
• 'Surgutneftegas'
• 'Tatneft'

Details on these ships are crucial for understanding the scale and methods Russia employs to continue advancing its energy interests on the global market.

The intelligence update underscores Ukraine's ongoing, active campaign against the illegal energy trade, a significant element within the wider context of international economic pressure on Russia. Sanctions targeting ship captains could complicate their operations, potentially reducing export volumes and impacting financial flows to the aggressor state. These developments also highlight the necessity for continued international cooperation in countering sanctions evasion and economic crimes.