Russia's "shadow fleet" uses Starlink terminals to circumvent sanctions

Russian tankers in the "shadow fleet" coordinate their actions and maintain communication with their owners using Starlink satellite systems. 

According to the Kyiv Independent, access to Western technology allows the aggressor’s vessels to ensure uninterrupted logistics for oil exports despite international restrictions. According to sailors’ testimonies, terminals are procured through intermediary companies, and the captain has full network access for constant communication with clients and scheme operators.

The investigation found that the use of SpaceX technologies is part of a broader system of covert fleet operations. In particular, crew funding is often conducted in the cryptocurrency Tether, which allows for the circumvention of banking monitoring. The cost of maintaining a single vessel with a crew of about 30 people can reach $120,000 per month. Ukraine has already appealed to SpaceX to take technical measures to prevent the equipment from operating on vessels that help Russia circumvent energy sanctions.

Vladislav Vlasyuk, the President of Ukraine’s Representative for Sanctions Policy, called the use of civilian satellite systems to support the “shadow fleet” unacceptable. Discussions are currently underway in the EU regarding a complete ban on providing maritime services to such vessels, including insurance and maintenance. The use of Starlink highlights the complexity of the schemes the Russian Federation employs to preserve oil revenues, leveraging Western technologies to advance its own geopolitical goals. The situation requires stricter oversight of the deployment and activation of terminals in regions where sanctioned carriers operate.