Russia's shadow vessels' using false flags to skirt sanctions, report says

"Russian shadow vessels are using false flags to skirt sanctions imposed on Moscow over its war in Ukraine, according to a new report. A total of 113 Russian vessels have flown a false flag in the first nine months of this year, transporting some 11 million tonnes of oil valued at 4.7 billion euros ($5.4bn), according to the report published on Thursday by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a Helsinki-based think tank. The number of Russian shadow tankers sailing under false flags is now increasing at an alarming rate, said report co-author Luke Wickenden."

"False-flagged vessels carried 1.4 billion euros ($1.6bn) worth of Russian crude oil and oil products through the Danish Straits in September alone. Russia's clandestine shadow fleet transports sanctioned commodities, especially oil, under non-Russian flags to evade scrutiny. Every vessel sailing on the open seas is required to fly a flag that provides it with legal jurisdiction for its operations in international waters. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allows countries to grant their nationality to ships and fly their flag."

"Some countries provide open registries that allow foreign-owned or controlled vessels to use their flag, a practice favoured by some shippers due to lower regulatory burdens and registration costs. In its report, CREA said that 96 sanctioned vessels had flown a false flag at least once this year as of the end of September. A total of 85 vessels registered at least two flag changes six months after being sanctioned by the European Union, the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or the United Kingdom, according to the think tank."

113 Russian vessels flew false flags in the first nine months of 2025, transporting about 11 million tonnes of oil valued at €4.7 billion. False-flagged vessels moved €1.4 billion of Russian crude and oil products through the Danish Straits in September alone. Russian shadow tankers increasingly sail under non-Russian flags to transport sanctioned commodities and avoid scrutiny. Ships at sea must fly a flag that establishes legal jurisdiction, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allows states to grant nationality to vessels. Some countries operate open registries that reduce regulatory burdens and registration costs. At least 96 sanctioned vessels flew false flags at least once by the end of September, and 85 vessels registered at least two flag changes within six months of sanctions.

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