Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the West has imposed several sanctions against Russia. Since Western sanctions against Russian oil were imposed, more and more ships have joined Putin’s shadow fleet of old tankers.
The so-called shadow fleet operates in the Baltic Sea, and consists of older oil tankers that operate under diffuse ownership. Thus, the oil is transported on ships that are not insured by Western companies that comply with the sanctions rules.
Espionage
Now Ewa Skoog Haslum, the Swedish navy chief, confirms for the first time that Sweden’s navy follows the movements of the shadow fleet, and that they have documented that certain ships are used for espionage.
Skoog Haslum says that the navy has documentation that some of the vessels in the Russian shadow fleet can be used for interception.
– We find antennas and masts that do not normally belong on a fishing boat, for example. It is clear that we experience that what is moving out there at sea may have other objectives with their activities, she says to SVT.
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According to Skoog Haslum, the vessels can be used in hybrid operations. For example, a foreign vessel can enter a Swedish port under the guise of seeking an emergency port in connection with an accident.
Cryptic around Gotland missions
Sweden’s navy has long kept a close watch outside Gotland. Here, the Estonian company Fastbunkering supplies the Russian shadow fleet with fuel, according to SVT.
At the weekend, Swedish fighters are said to have flown a sharp mission over Gotland. The Swedish Air Force has been very cryptic about the incident.
– It was not an offense nor an exercise. It was a sharp effort, but I can’t go into the details of what it’s all about, says Air Force Communications Manager Louise Levin.
Sveriges Radio writes that a series of loud bangs could be heard in the west of Gotland on Sunday. There were two Jas 39 Gripen aircraft in action over the island in the Baltic Sea.
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