A fleet of aging oil tankers operated by former Wagner Group fighters and Russian military intelligence personnel is shipping Russian crude to international buyers, circumventing Western sanctions and price caps, according to an investigation.
The ships form part of what has become known as Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of vessels that enables Moscow to maintain oil exports despite international restrictions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. Investigators traced ownership and operational control of the tankers to individuals with backgrounds in Russian private military companies and the GRU, the country’s military intelligence agency.
One tanker identified in the investigation was observed loading cargo at the Russian port of Ust-Luga in late December 2025, preparing to transport hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude. The vessel is registered in a flag-of-convenience jurisdiction that allows it to obscure its true ownership and operational chain.
The investigation found that the shadow fleet employs various tactics to evade detection, including disabling Automatic Identification System transponders, conducting ship-to-ship transfers in international waters, and using complex corporate structures across multiple jurisdictions to conceal ownership.
The involvement of former Wagner and GRU personnel in the maritime operation highlights the intersection of Russian state security structures with commercial activities designed to bypass international sanctions. The operation generates significant revenue that analysts say helps fund Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.