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Swedish Navy Detects Russian Military Guards Aboard Sanctioned Oil Tankers in the Baltic Sea
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Sweden’s Navy has confirmed the presence of armed personnel in military uniforms aboard oil tankers belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” in the Baltic Sea, SVT Nyheter reported on December 15.
According to the outlet, citing Swedish military officials, Russia has for some time been conducting an operation in the Baltic Sea aimed at protecting sanctioned vessels, including those transporting Russian oil. This activity includes a зermanent presence of Russian naval ships in designated areas of the Baltic Sea, as well as armed individuals stationed directly on board shadow fleet tankers.
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“We have seen and received information that there are uniformed military personnel on board some of these shadow fleet vessels,” said Swedish Navy operations chief Marko Petkovic. He noted that the individuals observed are wearing military uniforms and are believed to be either linked to private security companies or to be serving members of the Russian military.
At the same time, Petkovic said there is “no need to worry about this, but we want to inform you about what is happening at sea.”
Reports about Russian military personnel aboard shadow fleet vessels circulated earlier in the autumn, particularly in Danish media, where pilots described threatening encounters, according to SVT Nyheter.
Navy operations chief also said Russia has recently increased its military surveillance in the Baltic Sea.
“The presence of the Russian fleet has become more permanent and visible across large parts of the Baltic Sea,” he stated, adding that Russian naval vessels are periodically present in key areas of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland and appear to be operating in support of the shadow fleet.
According to military sources cited by SVT, the Russian naval operation consists of a “fairly constant presence” in several specific zones adjacent to major shipping routes. As a result, Russia’s Baltic Fleet is currently engaged in what is described as largely static maritime surveillance.
Daniel Stenling, deputy head of operations at the Swedish Coast Guard, said that more Russian naval vessels are being observed in strategically important coastal areas. Commenting on reports of uniformed personnel aboard tankers, he said this underscores the importance of the shadow fleet for Russia.
“We have not seen this ourselves, but we know this is a very important activity for Russia, so we expect that various security measures have been put in place, and such arrangements are entirely possible,” Stenling said.
Earlier, the European Council approved fresh sanctions against nine individuals and entities linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
The new measures are intended to curb Russia’s capacity to fund its war against Ukraine and apply to five individuals and four companies involved in the shadow fleet’s logistical and financial operations.
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