SBU Charges Captain of Russian 'Shadow' Fleet Vessel
On April 7, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced charges against the captain of a vessel linked to the Russian 'shadow' fleet, which has been involved in the illegal export of grain and petroleum products from occupied Crimea.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has officially announced charges against the captain of a vessel associated with the Russian 'shadow' fleet, a move that raises serious concerns among Ukrainian law enforcement. The announcement was made on April 7, highlighting the ongoing issues surrounding illegal maritime activities in the Black Sea region.
According to information provided by the SBU, the foreign vessel, which is part of the Russian 'shadow' fleet, was detained in Odesa in December 2025. It was revealed that the bulk carrier was sailing under the flag of an African country, and its captain, now a suspect in the case, attempted to export a shipment of steel pipes from the Odesa port.
During the investigation conducted by the SBU, it was established that in late 2024, the captain boarded a sanctioned tanker at the seaport in temporarily occupied Kerch. It was there that the vessel was loaded with 2,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas, which was intended for export to third countries, further complicating the situation.
In January 2021, the same bulk carrier illegally exported nearly 7,000 tons of grain from Crimea to North Africa. This incident underscores a systematic violation of Ukrainian legislation and international norms, raising alarm among authorities.
To evade sanctions during transportation, the captain frequently changed the flags under which the vessel was operating and disabled the Automatic Identification System (AIS), making detection and detention increasingly difficult for law enforcement agencies.
The SBU also identified that the captain of the 'shadow' tanker is a citizen of one of the Middle Eastern countries. At the time of the vessel's detention in Odesa, there were 16 crew members on board, all of whom are also citizens from the Middle East region, indicating a broader network of involvement.
During searches of the vessel, investigators uncovered travel plans, pilot cards, cartographic materials, and radio communication check logs, which contained evidence of illegal entry into the ports of temporarily occupied Crimea. These documents have become crucial pieces of evidence in the ongoing case.
As of now, the investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine have formally charged the detained captain under Part 2 of Article 332-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to violations of the procedure for entering and exiting temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Under this article, the captain faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years.
This case is part of a broader campaign by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies aimed at combating illegal activities related to occupied territories and protecting Ukraine's national interests. The ongoing efforts reflect Ukraine's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the Russian occupation and ensuring accountability for those involved in illicit maritime operations.