Russian fuel: Kyiv says it can legally strike vessels

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Ukraine has urged the International Maritime Organization to designate Russia’s shadow fleet of sanctioned vessels as military assets to justify attacks on ships carrying Russian fuel amid the ongoing naval conflict. This classification could legitimize Ukraine’s strikes against these vessels, disrupt Russia’s ability to fund its war, and intensify international efforts to restrict sanctioned maritime trade.

Ukraine has called on the international community to classify Russia’s so-called shadow fleet as a military asset, a move aimed at legitimizing its attacks on vessels transporting Russian fuel amid ongoing maritime hostilities linked to the war in Ukraine. In a letter addressed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) last week, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba questioned whether the operations of these sanctioned ships could be considered purely commercial.

The shadow fleet consists of vessels subject to international sanctions that carry Russian cargo, including oil and gas, often navigating under flags of convenience or without recognized Western insurance and documentation. Kyiv estimates it has targeted around a dozen such vessels over the past year, while Russia claims to have attacked over 200 commercial ships since the conflict began in early 2022.

A focal point of contention is a March attack on the Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea. Moscow condemned what it described as a “terrorist” act in a letter to the IMO in early June, reporting that a fire caused by the strike forced the crew to abandon the vessel, which was reportedly en route to China with Russian fuel. Since that incident, Russian LNG tankers have avoided Mediterranean routes and instead circumnavigate via the Cape of Good Hope, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.

Kuleba’s letter emphasized the strategic importance of these vessels to Russia’s ability to finance its war effort, urging the international community to view attacks on the shadow fleet as legitimate military actions. He also highlighted Russia’s continuing assaults on Ukrainian ports including Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhny, as well as its targeting of merchant vessels such as the Turkish cargo ship MV Victress and the German-owned Helga, which was carrying 25,000 tonnes of corn to Chornomorsk. Kuleba accused Russia of disregarding international humanitarian laws and maritime safety protocols in these operations.

Hostilities have escalated in the Black Sea region, with Ukraine striking the Russian ports of Kavkaz in June and Tuapse in May, intensifying maritime conflict between both sides. Meanwhile, European governments have increased efforts to disrupt the shadow fleet’s activities. The United Kingdom seized a sanctioned tanker transporting Russian cargo in the English Channel on June 14, and France recently intercepted a Russian vessel in the Mediterranean.

The shadow fleet is believed to have expanded to more than 1,500 tankers globally, serving not only Russia but also other sanctioned states such as Iran and Venezuela. Pressure has mounted on flag registries in countries like Barbados, Panama, and Cameroon to deregister these vessels in coordination with EU and UK allies, aiming to curb sanctioned maritime trade amid tightening international restrictions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.