Russia has lost control over a part of its sanction-evading oil business. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) says a powerful explosion occurred in the engine room of the Vilamoura tanker on 27 June, while it was en route from the Libyan port of Es-Zuwaytina.
Russia’s shadow fleet includes a large group of oil tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions and price caps imposed after the beginning of its all-out war against Ukraine. Many of such tankers are old and poorly maintained, which create environmental and maritime safety risks. The majority of Russia’s core shadow fleet remains unsanctioned and operational.
The vessel was located about 150 km northeast of Libya’s territorial waters and was carrying approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil.
The tanker was sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands and, according to intelligence, had been repeatedly used to transport oil products from ports of the aggressor state. In April, it was spotted in Ust-Luga, and in May, near Novorossiysk.
Currently, the damaged Vilamoura is being towed by the firefighting ship Boka Summit (flying the Maltese flag) to the Laconian Gulf in Greece. The tanker is owned by TMS Tanker Ltd., a company registered in Marousi, Greece.
“The Kremlin is losing an important tool used to circumvent international sanctions and fund its war of aggression against Ukraine,” Ukraine’s intelligence emphasized.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the largest sanctions package in the country’s history, targeting 100 Russian oil tankers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. According to an official press release, the targeted vessels have collectively carried over $24 billion in Russian oil since January 2024.
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