According to the Russian state news agency TASS, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev stated that Russia holds the legal right to attack any commercial vessel belonging to hostile nations suspected of carrying cargo for an enemy. Speaking on Telegram, Medvedev announced that he discussed the operational reach of Russia’s armed forces with the commander-in-chief on Wednesday. The current president of Russia serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces.
Expansion of Naval Operations Beyond the Black Sea
Medvedev warned that Russian military forces could significantly widen their operational scope far beyond the boundaries of the Black Sea. According to his statements reported by TASS, this policy applies to merchant ships located in Russian waters as well as neutral waters if sufficient suspicion exists regarding enemy cargo transport. President Vladimir Putin previously declared that Moscow would respond in kind to any attempts to seize Russian commercial vessels, according to Medvedev.
Defending the Russian Shadow Fleet Against Western Criticism
Addressing international criticism regarding the Russian shadow fleet, Medvedev dismissed Western objections as hysteria. According to the former president, the term refers to standard civil vessels operating under foreign flags to serve Russian interests. These registrations rely on flags of convenience designed to reduce tax burdens and regulatory compliance costs. Jurisdictions offering such registration include Panama, Liberia, the Marshall Islands, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Malta, and Seychelles.
Medvedev asserted that European nations possess no legal authority under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention or domestic laws to detain these vessels. The unofficial network consists of hundreds of older ships deployed by Russia to export crude oil and petroleum products. G7 nations and the European Union imposed international sanctions on Russian exports in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. By November 2025, the catalog of vessels operating within this network reached 1,240 ships.
Maritime Risks and Operational Tactics
Insurance coverage remains a central concern for the operation. Two-thirds of the vessels transporting Russian oil rely on unknown insurance providers despite being between 15 and 25 years old or older, making them more vulnerable to mechanical failures and spills. Operators employ various tactics to evade tracking, including renaming ships, altering registration flags, sailing under false banners, disabling transponders, and transmitting false location data. Crews also engage in ship-to-ship oil transfers on the open sea, which introduces environmental hazards.
Did you know? As of November 2025, the catalog of vessels operating within the Russian shadow fleet network totaled 1,240 ships, with two-thirds utilizing unknown insurance providers despite their advanced age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a flag of convenience?
A flag of convenience is a maritime registration system where a vessel is registered in a country other than that of its owner to lower taxes and regulatory costs, utilizing nations such as Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands.
Why did Western nations impose sanctions on Russian oil?
G7 nations and the European Union instituted sanctions in 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, prompting Moscow to utilize an unofficial network of older vessels for petroleum exports.
What risks are associated with the shadow fleet?
Older vessels have unknown insurance, frequently disable transponders, and conduct open-sea transfers, creating navigation hazards and environmental risks.
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