At least two dozen Russian-linked civilian tankers have been damaged and attacked since the beginning of 2025

The frequency of attacks on ships has increased since November last year

At least 20 tankers that entered Russian ports that were associated with the country or its “shadow fleet” were subject to external damage, attacks and detentions since the beginning of 2025, Vorstka calculated. The frequency of attacks on ships began to increase sharply in November, some of them organized by Ukraine.

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Explosions on tankers have become more frequent since the beginning of last year

In early 2025, for the first time in decades, explosions occurred on three civilian oil tankers in the Mediterranean Sea - Seacharm, Seajewel and Grace Ferrum. Reuters noted that shortly before the incidents, all ships called at Russian ports, and law enforcement officers in Italy considered a terrorist attack as a version of what happened. There is still no published information about the causes of the explosions.

Another similar incident occurred off the coast of Libya in June with the tanker Vilamoura, which was carrying a million barrels of oil; the ship visited Russian ports twice before the explosions. After this, the Main Intelligence Directorate declared that it belonged to the Russian “shadow fleet”.

The tankers Koala (flag of Antigua and Barbuda), associated with a Latvian citizen helping Russia circumvent sanctions, and Eco Wizard (Marshall Islands), located near the port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region, were also damaged as a result of explosions: in the first tanker, according to the regional governor, they are associated with the engine room, in the second - with an ammonia leak. External influence is mentioned as a version in both cases, while a detailed official position on this matter has never been published.

In the fall, ships associated with Russia began to attack naval drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Attacks on ships linked to Russia began in the fall. On November 28, fires started on the tankers Virat and Kairos due to being hit by maritime drones. Ukrainian media, citing sources, wrote that the strikes on the “shadow fleet” were an operation of the SBU and the Navy. Mersin, Dashan , Elbus, Qendil, which may also belong to the gray oil zone, were also attacked. At the same time, Ukraine rejected accusations of involvement in the attack on the Midvolga-2 tanker transporting sunflower oil, which sailed under the Russian flag during the same period.

In January, drones also attacked the Delta Harmony and Matilda vessels at the CPC terminal near Novorossiysk - they were waiting to load Kazakh oil and were damaged. The Russian side linked the attack to Ukraine and condemned its actions.

In addition, ships associated with Russia were detained. Thus, Estonia inspected the “shadow fleet” tanker Kiwala, France - Boracay (renamed Kiwala). At the same time, the United States, amid the conflict with Venezuela, seized the tankers Olina, Marinera, Sophia and Veronica .

Photo: Fire on the tanker Vilamoura in the Mediterranean Sea
Infographic: El

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