A new report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals that Russia is increasingly using “shadow vessels” flying false flags to bypass international sanctions. In the first nine months of 2025, these tactics allowed the transport of millions of tonnes of oil undetected.
Between January and September 2025, 113 Russian vessels operated under false flags, transporting approximately 11 million tonnes of oil valued at $5.4 billion (€4.7bn).
85 vessels were found to have changed their flag registration at least twice within six months of being sanctioned by the EU, US, or UK. In September 2025 alone, false-flagged vessels moved $1.6 billion worth of oil through the Danish Straits.
Russian operators are taking advantage of “open registries” in economically weaker nations that offer low regulatory burdens. Six registries that had zero Russian ships prior to the 2022 invasion now host over 160 shadow vessels. Experts note that as China blocks some “zombie vessels” (ships using retired registration numbers), Russia has shifted toward these false flag techniques.
Rachel Ziemba of the Center for a New American Security warns that strict enforcement is difficult. Effectively stopping this trade would require targeting buyers and intermediaries, which risks retaliation from major buyers like China. True enforcement might require “quasi-military” stoppages of vessels to check paperwork, a step many nations are hesitant to take.
