Russia's illicit activities in the open waters of the Mediterranean pose a significant threat to the environment. They are using uninsured tankers to evade sanctions.

According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Russian tanker with IMO number 9247443 has been actively transferring oil in international waters near Greece and Cyprus since July 2024.

The agency emphasizes that these actions are opaque and threaten the ecological safety of the region, allowing for the evasion of sanctions.

According to GUR data, this tanker serves as a floating hub for supplying Russian oil under sanctions. The War&Sanctions portal has published information on 577 vessels, of which 159 are active participants in the so-called "shadow fleet" of Russia, along with the names of 55 captains.

Russia is actively employing schemes such as disabling AIS, conducting night STS operations, spoofing navigation data, and registering shell companies. Tanker operations often occur at night without lighting and insurance, increasing the risk of major accidents.