UK Warns of Russia’s New Shadow Fleet Aimed at Evading Sanctions

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 2, 2026

The UK government has imposed sanctions on a covert Russian fleet of tankers, including newly built LNG vessels, suspected of aiding Moscow in evading international sanctions to sustain gas export revenues. This effort targets Russia's strategic expansion into Arctic shipping routes and aims to disrupt funding crucial to President Putin’s military operations in Ukraine.

The United Kingdom has warned that Russia is developing a covert fleet of tankers aimed at circumventing international sanctions and sustaining revenue from gas exports amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The British Foreign Office indicated that Moscow is expanding its fleet of civilian vessels used to transport fuel illicitly, a move it says is crucial to funding President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts.

As part of a new package of sanctions announced on October 1, the UK government targeted multiple ships believed to be involved in these activities, including several that began service as recently as this year. Officials described the emerging "shadow fleet" as a significant attempt by Russia to avoid Western restrictions.

Among the vessels sanctioned are two newly built 984-foot liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers, the Aleksey Kosygin and the Konstantin Posiet. Both Russian-flagged vessels, each weighing approximately 127,555 tons, were constructed domestically and entered service earlier in 2026. Designed to navigate and break through ice up to two meters thick, these ships appear to be part of Russia’s strategic expansion into Arctic and High North shipping routes.

According to maritime tracking data, the Konstantin Posiet recently departed from Bechevinka Bay, a former Soviet submarine base located on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east. Meanwhile, the Aleksey Kosygin is reportedly moored near Changtu Island in the East China Sea.

In addition to these new LNG tankers, the UK sanctions include other vessels suspected of supporting Russia’s sanction-evasion efforts. Among them are the Pyotr Stolypin, which also entered service this year, as well as the Portovyy, Chaivo, Avacha, Bebek-E—a vessel originally built in 1979—and the Galle Energy, a 75-foot crew transport ship.

NATO member states are increasingly focusing on targeting the covert Russian fleet for seizure and interdiction, highlighting the multinational effort to enforce sanctions against Moscow amid the protracted conflict in Ukraine. The UK’s latest actions aim to increase pressure on sectors vital to the Russian state’s future revenue streams, particularly in the energy export market.

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.