Indications that Russia is protecting its fleet from the shadows. Observations made by the Swedish Navy on oil tankers in the Baltic Sea
The Swedish navy has identified uniformed Russian military personnel aboard oil tankers linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, according to a report by SVT, Sweden's public radio station.
The Swedish navy said the sightings were the result of a wider Russian military operation to protect the shadow fleet used to evade Western sanctions on its oil exports.
Russia's shadow fleet consists mostly of older tankers that carry Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Ownership is often opaque and many of the vessels do not have reliable insurance. Swedish authorities estimate that around 90% of Russia's crude oil exports now come from the shadow fleet.
Armed personnel observed on board oil tankers
According to the Swedish Navy, Russian ships have been monitoring specific areas in the Baltic Sea, while uniformed personnel have been spotted on board some oil tankers.
“We have seen and received information that uniformed personnel are present on some of these shadow fleet vessels,” said the Swedish Navy's chief of operations, Marko Petkovic.
The official said there was reason to believe the personnel were armed and likely had ties to private security companies rather than regular Russian naval units.
Reports of uniformed personnel aboard Shadow Fleet ships have been circulating since the fall. Danish investigative publication Danwatch has previously quoted pilots who described threatening situations while guiding such vessels.
Russia's naval presence becomes 'permanent'
The Swedish Navy said Russia has also gradually increased its naval presence in the region. “Russian naval activity began to be permanent and much more present in large parts of the Baltic Sea,” Petkovic said.
He added that Russian warships regularly operate near key shipping routes in the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Finland and Sweden's western waters, likely tasked with supporting shadow fleet operations.
Military sources cited by SVT described an almost constant Russian naval presence in several areas close to the main shipping routes. This task has apparently locked parts of Russia's Baltic Fleet into static maritime surveillance roles.
Both the navy and the Swedish Coast Guard said they saw no immediate threat.
The Shadow Fleet plays a critical role in the war economy
Daniel Stenling, deputy chief of operations at the Swedish Coast Guard, said increased Russian naval activity had been observed in strategically important maritime areas.
While the Coast Guard has not directly confirmed the appearance of armed personnel on the tankers, it says the reports underscore how important the shadow fleet is to Moscow.
“This activity is so important to Russia that we expect various security measures to be implemented,” he said.
