Stranded in the Baltic: Germany Identifies Russian ‘Shadow’ Vessel

German authorities identified the stranded Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Eventin as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, used to evade Western sanctions. The vessel, carrying 99,000 tonnes of oil, lost power and steering in Baltic Sea waters near the island of Rügen, prompting a complex towing operation. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Moscow of endangering European security through its deployment of “rusty tankers” and other covert maritime activities.

Western nations, including the EU, UK, and US, have intensified sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, believed to transport oil using vessels with opaque ownership, outdated equipment, and non-compliance with maritime regulations. The latest incident underscores growing concerns over the environmental and security risks posed by these operations amid ongoing tensions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

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