The so-called shadow fleet is one of the main factors in the sustainability of Russian oil exports. Estimates of the number of vessels included in its composition vary greatly. In 2025, according to an investigation by Western journalists, there were about 230 tankers, and the total number of ships of different types, according to various sources, can range from 1000 to 1800.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, companies from Kazakhstan, Cyprus, India, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine itself have published at least 1,000 job ads recruiting sailors for vessels in Russia’s “shadow fleet,” The Insider has found. Crewing companies have largely avoided sanctions so far, even though they may be more vulnerable to designations than the ships themselves. The sanctioning of a vessel often does not create major problems for exporters.

Despite all the bans, Lithuanian companies supplied parts for drones to Russia, as well as Starlink terminals and spare parts for them, The Insider found out together with the Lithuanian investigative journalism center Siena. The border and customs regime of Lithuania in relation to Russia is one of the strictest and most consistent in the European Union, so the goods were sent through Latvian customs. Available in English Contents 1. How Starlink was imported 2. Motors for “toy” drones 3.

Despite a range of prohibitions, Lithuanian companies continued to supply Russia with drone components, Starlink terminals, and spare parts for the terminals, The Insider found in collaboration with the Lithuanian investigative journalism organization Siena . Lithuania’s border and customs regime with regard to Russia is one of the strictest in the European Union — which is why the goods were routed through Latvia. Доступно на русском Contents 1. How Starlink was brought in 2.

As The Insider was able to establish, the synthesis of epibatidine (the poison that killed Alexei Navalny) was carried out by employees of the Signal Scientific Center, and some components that could be used for the synthesis of this poison were imported into Russia by ABCR Chemi Rus LLC, whose managers were found in calls from Signal employees. ABCR Chemi Rus LLC is 90% owned by the German company abcr GmbH.

As The Insider previously established, it was Russia’s Signal Scientific Center that had carried out the synthesis of the epibatidine poison that was used to kill Alexei Navalny. Some of the substances identical to those that may have been used for its synthesis, were imported into Russia by ABCR Chemi Rus LLC, whose managers appeared in the phone records of Signal employees.

This is a joint investigation by Nordsint and The Insider. Доступно на русском Identifying the main international sources of equipment and spare parts for the Russian military is no easy task for investigative journalists. Standard trade and customs databases often list intermediary companies and logistics firms, rather than manufacturers or actual sellers.

This article is a joint investigation by Nordsint and The Insider. Available in English Identifying the main international sources of equipment and spare parts for the Russian army is a difficult task for investigative journalists. Standard trade and customs databases often record intermediary companies and logistics companies rather than manufacturers or actual sellers. This opacity allows international suppliers to plausibly deny their involvement in the trade of sanctioned goods.

The Insider has identified over 6,000 companies that are directly violating international restrictions by trading with sanctioned Russian enterprises and defense industry suppliers, thereby profiting from the war in Ukraine. More than 4,000 of them are based in China, while many of the others are Turkish and Emirati businesses. Among their Russian counterparties are numerous entities that have already been placed on sanctions lists by the U.S., UK, and EU.

Electronic component manufacturing in China Investigations Andrey Zayakin 11 March 2026 Investigation: How Russia's military-industrial complex evades international sanctions The Insider has identified over 6,000 companies that are directly violating international restrictions by trading with sanctioned Russian enterprises and defense industry suppliers, thereby profiting from the war in Ukraine.

Manufacturing of electronic components in China Investigations Andrey Zayakin March 11, 2026 The Insider has identified more than 6,000 firms that directly violate restrictive measures by trading with sanctioned Russian enterprises and military-industrial complex suppliers and thereby profiting from the war in Ukraine. About 4,000 of them are Chinese companies, many of the rest are Turkish and Emirati firms.

Investigations Andrey Zayakin 18 February 2026 The US, European Union and UK face two main challenges when imposing sanctions on Russian military production. Firstly, it is not always clear what products are imported specifically for the military. Secondly, in place of the company that came under sanctions, a new one will soon grow, and while new restrictive measures are introduced, the military-industrial complex has time to adapt. But there is a way to solve this problem.

Investigations Suppliers of death: The Insider identifies another 300 companies making purchases on behalf of the Russian military Andrey Zayakin 18 February 2026 The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom face two main difficulties when imposing sanctions aimed at disrupting Russia’s military production. First, it is not always clear which goods are being imported specifically for military use.

The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom face two main difficulties when imposing sanctions aimed at disrupting Russia’s military production. First, it is not always clear which goods are being imported specifically for military use. Second, when one company is sanctioned, a substitute soon appears in its place, and while new Western restrictions are being introduced, the Russian military-industrial complex has time to adapt. But there is a way to solve this problem.

Investigations Andrey Zayakin 25 December 2025 Investigation: How Russia's military-industrial complex evades international sanctions The Insider has discovered that Russian customs data for 2025 lack information on shipments in 180 previously reported categories of high-tech goods, mainly in the areas of electronics and industrial manufacturing.