SBU Detains Vessel from 'Shadow Fleet' in Odesa Port Linked to Illegal Exports from Occupied Crimea

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has intensified its efforts to combat illegal exports from occupied territories, recently detaining a foreign cargo vessel in the port of Odesa. This vessel is reportedly linked to the notorious 'shadow fleet' of Russia, which has been involved in the illicit transportation of goods from Crimea, a region currently controlled by Russia.

According to investigators, the owner of the detained vessel had previously been subjected to Ukrainian sanctions. In an attempt to evade these restrictions, the owner has repeatedly changed the ship's name and nominal ownership through third countries. The vessel arrived in Odesa flying the flag of an African nation, intending to load a shipment of steel pipes.

The SBU revealed that this ship had entered Sevastopol at least seven times before the full-scale Russian invasion, engaging in the export of grain, which violates Ukrainian legislation. In one documented instance in January 2021, the vessel transported nearly 7,000 tons of grain from Crimea to North Africa.

At the time of the vessel's detention, there were 17 crew members on board, including the captain, all of whom are citizens of Middle Eastern countries. This further emphasizes the international nature of the 'shadow fleet's' operations, which actively employs foreign nationals for its activities.

The term 'shadow fleet' is used to describe a network of vessels that operate under constantly changing names, flags, and ownership structures to evade sanctions imposed due to Russia's war against Ukraine. These ships are actively used to transport sanctioned oil to global markets, thereby supporting the Russian economy and funding its military actions.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged its partners to update legislation to allow for the confiscation of such vessels. In this context, France has emerged as one of the most proactive countries in combating this network, having intercepted suspicious vessels from the 'shadow fleet' multiple times since late 2025. In early March, Belgium conducted a joint operation with France to detain a sanctioned Russian tanker operating under a foreign flag.

On March 25, the United Kingdom announced new measures enabling its military and law enforcement agencies to combat suspicious vessels from the 'shadow fleet' in British waters. These actions reflect a growing international cooperation in the fight against illegal exports and the financing of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.