Albania denied a tanker from the Russian shadow fleet entry into its port
On August 29, Albania barred the tanker Hanuman from entering the port of Durres. Ukrainian intelligence considers the vessel to be part of the Russian shadow fleet.
In January 2026, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) added the Hanuman to the War&Sanctions portal’s database as a vessel of the Russian shadow fleet. According to intelligence reports, since the beginning of 2025 alone, the tanker has transported at least 452,000 metric tons of Russian fuel.
The vessel made voyages from the Russian port of Novorossiysk to Turkey, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates, and to a port near Augusta, Italy.
The logistics for these shipments are handled by the Russian company “Altoprae Marine.” According to intelligence sources, it is owned by sanctioned Russian businessman Gennady Tymchenko, who is described as a close associate of Vladimir Putin.
Source: Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense
Prior to this, a ship sank near Istanbul after colliding with a tanker belonging to the Russian Federation’s shadow fleet.
In the Marmara Sea near Istanbul, the cargo ship Tuğberk İmamoğlu, with 10 crew members on board, sank after colliding with a tanker. Turkish rescue teams are conducting a search operation.
The Turkish shipping company Akkon Lines has completely suspended calls at Russian ports due to the escalating security situation in the Black Sea. The company cited increased risks to crews, vessels, and cargo.
