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The Hidden Network Behind Russia’s Oil Trade Runs on Starlink and Crypto, Investigation Finds
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia’s so-called shadow fleet is using Western technologies, including Starlink satellite communications, to coordinate operations and transport sanctioned oil.
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According to Kyiv Independent on April 1, journalists uncovered the system through interviews with Ukrainian sailors who said they were unknowingly recruited to work aboard vessels later identified as part of the fleet.
The investigation found that communication between tankers, shipowners, and intermediaries is often maintained via satellite phones and Starlink terminals.
🇸🇪 JUST IN: Sweden releases footage of forces boarding the Russian shadow fleet oil tanker Sea Owl I, highlighting ongoing operations against illicit maritime activities. pic.twitter.com/zQzURxDZq8
— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) March 17, 2026
“It could be purchased through a proxy company… It is not a weapon, everybody can buy it,” one crew member told Kyiv Independent, describing how terminals are typically controlled by captains, who maintain constant contact with operators throughout voyages.
The use of Starlink on these vessels had not been widely reported before, despite earlier cases of Russian forces using unauthorized access to the system in occupied Ukrainian territories.
The investigation also details how recruitment into the shadow fleet often occurs through informal channels such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or direct calls from former colleagues. Contracts typically lack transparency, and crew members are rarely informed about the true ownership of vessels or the nature of cargo operations.
According to Kyiv Independent, the fleet itself consists of aging tankers operating under complex ownership structures designed to obscure links to Russia. Many ships conduct offshore ship-to-ship transfers and may disable tracking systems to conceal movements.
Payments to crew members add another layer of opacity. Wages are frequently issued in cryptocurrency, primarily Tether (USDT), which is pegged to the US dollar. An independent expert cited in the investigation said funds often originate from Bitcoin mining, are converted into stablecoins, and then distributed to digital wallets.
Two sailors told Kyiv Independent that operating costs for a single vessel with a crew of around 30 can reach approximately $120,000 per month in salaries, or nearly $1.5 million annually.
Ukrainian officials have raised concerns about the use of Western technology in sanction evasion. “If Starlink is being used to evade sanctions or bypass maritime safety rules, this is unacceptable,” Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s representative on sanctions policy, told Kyiv Independent.
“We expect SpaceX to review this issue carefully and take steps to prevent the use of Starlink by shadow fleets of any country, including Russia, Venezuela, or Iran,” he added.
According to Kyiv Independent, SpaceX had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
The findings come as Ukraine has recently tightened control over Starlink usage domestically. Authorities introduced mandatory registration and a whitelist system to prevent unauthorized access, particularly after reports that Russian forces had used Starlink connectivity to enhance drone operations.
According to Kyiv Independent, international efforts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet have intensified in recent months. Several European countries have begun seizing sanctioned vessels, while the United Kingdom authorized inspections of such ships in its waters.
The United States has also targeted shadow fleet tankers as part of enforcement actions linked to sanctioned oil shipments.
Earlier, Russia announced plans to deploy armed “mobile fire groups” aboard vessels linked to its shadow fleet, according to Interfax on March 25, as European countries increase inspections and seizures of sanctioned tankers.
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