Twelve European Nations Unite to Disrupt Russia’s Shadow Fleet Operations

During the JEF (Joint Expeditionary Force) Leaders’ Summit in Tallinn, 12 European nations — Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom — reached an agreement to disrupt and deter Russia’s shadow fleet activity, according to the Estonian government statement on December 16.

Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of vessels operating covertly, is used to bypass international sanctions and reduce their economic impact on Moscow. The participating nations aim to curb these illegal activities, which are believed to help fund Russia’s war against Ukraine, by increasing operational costs and tightening enforcement.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal underscored the significance of the agreement, stating, “Russia’s shadow fleet poses a threat to European security, economies, and the environment. Those who choose to operate in the shadows need to face the consequences.”

Michal further emphasized the coordinated effort, saying, “We are taking coordinated steps to deter Russia’s shadow fleet and their attempts to evade sanctions.”

Under the new initiative, maritime authorities from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland, and Estonia will monitor shadow fleet vessels as they pass through critical waterways, including the English Channel, the Danish Straits of the Great Belt, the Sound between Denmark and Sweden, and the Gulf of Finland.

Authorities will demand proof of valid insurance from suspected vessels, and any refusal to comply will be flagged and analyzed collectively.

Earlier, reports emerged that Russia may be using its shadow fleet not only for transporting oil but also for strategic military logistics, such as shipping tanks and fuel.