Zelenskyy intensifies pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet

WISE NEWS PRESS / KYIV, UKRAINE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered a significant escalation in sanctions targeting Russia’s maritime oil exports following a comprehensive report by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (SZR).

During the briefing, First Deputy Head of the SZR, Oleg Lugovskyi, detailed covert international communications regarding Russia's current standing and the real perspectives on potential negotiations. President Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity for Ukraine’s strategic positions to be anchored in realistic future prospects as the conflict persists.

Targeting the "Shadow Fleet"

A primary focus of the meeting was the systematic effort to dismantle the "shadow fleet" that Russia uses to circumvent energy sanctions. Coordinated pressure from Ukraine and its international partners has successfully paralyzed at least 20% of this fleet. However, Russia is actively attempting to replace these vessels with new ships.

Zelenskyy has instructed the SZR to provide partners with updated data on these new vessels to ensure they are immediately added to international sanctions lists. The intensified pressure will target not only the tankers but also captains, insurers, and the entire supporting infrastructure of the shadow fleet.

Cutting War Financing

Economic data suggests that current restrictions on Russian maritime oil exports are projected to reduce Moscow’s annual revenues by at least $30 billion. Zelenskyy noted that increasing this pressure would further drain the resources used to fund the invasion.

Furthermore, Ukraine intends to brief its partners on new schemes involving Chinese companies that assist Russia in bypassing sanctions against its financial sector. Zelenskyy stated that the goal of the international community must be to reduce Russia’s ability to adapt to economic pressure.

"Effective pressure on the aggressor is the primary fuel for the diplomatic process," Zelenskyy concluded, thanking the SZR and international partners for their results-oriented work across all sanction tracks.

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