Australia Targets Russia’s “Shadow Fleet” of Oil Tankers with Unprecedented Sanctions
In a decisive move, Australia has for the first time-imposed sanctions on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, aiming to disrupt covert operations that facilitate Moscow’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
The Australian government announced on Wednesday that it has sanctioned 60 vessels linked to this fleet, which has already been targeted by allied nations including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union.
“These vessels are used by Russia to evade international sanctions and fuel its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine,” said Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
The “shadow fleet” employs a range of deceptive tactics to avoid detection and enforcement, such as frequent flag changes (“flag-hopping”), disabling tracking systems, and operating without adequate insurance. These strategies allow Russia to continue illicit oil trading despite sweeping global sanctions.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Australia has imposed over 1,400 sanctions on Russian entities and individuals, condemning the conflict as both unlawful and unethical.
Last month, Canberra strongly criticized a “sham trial” in which Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins was sentenced to 13 years in a Russian penal colony after being captured while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
Australia’s latest sanctions underscore its commitment to international efforts aimed at holding Russia accountable and cutting off financial support for its war machine.
