Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) said Wednesday it had identified 66 vessels linked to the shadow oil fleet operated by Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, accusing the ships of helping Moscow bypass sanctions and finance its war against Ukraine.
HUR said the vessels were added to the “Maritime Vessels” section of the War&Sanctions portal, which tracks assets tied to Russia’s war effort. According to the agency, the ships have been involved in transporting oil and petroleum products, illegally exporting Ukrainian grain, and violating Ukraine’s state border.
Ukrainian intelligence said the list includes tankers operated through networks linked to the Cyprus-based Cymare Shipmanagement Ltd and UAE-registered Cymare Navigation FZC.
Since 2023, tankers connected with the group have continued to supply Russia with oil revenue, using company registrations in European Union member states as cover, the agency said.
HUR said the group’s top executive, Nikolay Spichenok, a British citizen, has held senior management positions at Russia’s state-owned shipping giant Sovcomflot and its affiliated entities. Most countries in the Western sanctions coalition have sanctioned Sovcomflot for transporting Russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas.
According to HUR findings, tankers linked to Sovcomflot, including those involved in oil shipments to and from Venezuela, have recently begun switching their flags to Russian registries, a move Ukrainian officials say openly confirms their role in supporting the Kremlin’s military and economic interests.
Previously, many of the vessels sailed under third-country flags to evade Western sanctions, the agency said.
HUR said the trend aligns with Russia’s Maritime Doctrine, which envisions expanding Russia’s civilian fleet under its national flag, increasing maritime mobilization readiness, and integrating pre-prepared civilian vessels and crews into the armed forces during wartime.
The HUR agency also issued a warning to captains and crews working aboard shadow fleet vessels, urging them to avoid cooperation with opaque operators.
“Unscrupulous shadow fleet operators are the first to disappear once a vessel comes under law enforcement scrutiny, leaving seafarers alone with legal, financial, and humanitarian consequences,” the agency said.
In recent months, HUR released technical profiles and supplier lists for ballistic missiles, cruise missile systems, and drone families – steps Kyiv says are crucial for helping partners close loopholes and stop the flow of dual-use goods.
The War&Sanctions platform, created and maintained by HUR, documents supply chains, tracks sanctioned entities, and lists foreign components found in Russian weapons.
The War & Sanctions portal currently contains:
- more than 5,200 foreign-made components identified in 181 types of Russian weapons
- 12 interactive diagrams of Russian and Iranian weapon systems
- over 280 companies involved in weapons production
“Weapons Russia is using against Ukraine today may be used tomorrow against other states,” HUR warned, calling for “synchronized action, stronger sanctions, and sustained support for Ukraine to stop the aggressor.”
That warning is underscored by new intelligence on Russia’s ongoing weapons development.
Earlier in January, HUR identified dozens of foreign-made industrial machines still being used by Russia’s defense industry, highlighting ongoing sanctions circumvention.
HUR stated that it has published data on 50 pieces of foreign technological equipment operating at Russian military-industrial enterprises on the War&Sanctions portal’s “Tools of War” section.
According to the agency, the disclosed equipment includes Czech-made waterjet cutting systems used by Russian companies involved in producing naval and coastal radar stations, hardware for strategic missile forces, and security systems for military facilities.