Russia lodged a complaint with the IMO regarding attacks on its shadow fleet
Russia has filed a complaint with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding Ukrainian strikes on vessels of the so-called "shadow fleet." Kyiv responded that such tankers cannot be considered ordinary civilian vessels, as they help Russia raise funds for the war.
Russia has lodged a complaint with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), accusing Ukraine of attacking vessels belonging to its so-called shadow fleet. According to the Financial Times, Moscow filed an official complaint in early June following an attack on the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea. In its complaint, the Russian side called Ukraine’s actions “terrorism.” Kyiv, however, disagrees with this assessment.
On June 26, Ukraine sent an official response to the IMO. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized that shadow fleet vessels cannot be equated with ordinary commercial ships. “The question is whether the activities of such vessels can be viewed exclusively as ordinary commercial operations,” Kuleba noted.
The Ukrainian side explains that it is precisely these tankers that help Russia circumvent international sanctions. They transport oil and liquefied natural gas, and the proceeds from these sales, as Kyiv emphasizes, are used to finance the war against Ukraine. According to the Financial Times, Ukraine attacked about ten ships belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet in 2025. These were tankers carrying Russian cargo that were subject to international sanctions.
In its letter, Ukraine also noted that it is Russia that has repeatedly attacked civilian shipping since the start of the full-scale invasion. “Since the start of the full-scale war, Russia has attacked 59 merchant ships,” the Ukrainian statement reads. Among these vessels, Kyiv named the Turkish dry cargo ship MV Victress and the German vessel Helga, both of which were targeted by Russian attacks.
According to the maritime analytics firm Windward, Ukrainian strikes have already affected the Russian fleet’s routes. Following the March attacks, no Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has passed through the Mediterranean Sea. Now, such vessels are forced to take a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. This increases delivery times and transportation costs.
At the same time, European countries continue to ramp up pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet. The United Kingdom has already detained one such tanker in the English Channel, and France recently detained a similar vessel in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, Ukraine’s partners are working with the countries under whose flags these tankers sail. The goal is to revoke their registrations and make it more difficult for vessels that help Russia circumvent sanctions to operate.
As a reminder, on June 25, the French Navy detained the oil tanker Deliver off the coast of Sicily. According to French authorities, the vessel departed from the Russian port of Primorsk, was flying the Cameroonian flag, and violated international maritime law, as reported by the Financial Times.
Thomas Nilsson, head of Sweden’s Military Intelligence and Security Service, stated that Russia will continue to pose a threat to neighboring countries even after Vladimir Putin’s rule ends.
