Ukraine's SBS Says It Has Neutralized 285 Vessels From Russia's Shadow Fleet

Ukraine's Security Service (SBS) announced Saturday that a specialized operation known as Madyar had successfully hunted down and neutralized 285 ships belonging to Russia's so-called shadow fleet — a network of vessels used to circumvent Western oil sanctions and continue exporting Russian crude to global markets.

What Is the Shadow Fleet

Russia's shadow fleet consists of hundreds of aging tankers operating under flags of convenience from countries not participating in Western sanctions. These vessels transport Russian oil under obscured ownership structures, making it difficult for Western governments to track or block the trade.

How the Neutralization Works

Operations have involved intelligence-sharing with Western partners to expose vessel ownership, coordinate port denials, and in some cases drone and maritime strikes against specific ships.

We have hunted 285 ships from Russia's shadow fleet. Each vessel we neutralize cuts into Russia's ability to fund its war machine.

The operation was described by SBS as part of Ukraine's broader asymmetric warfare strategy against Russian economic interests.

Impact on Russian Oil Revenue

Oil and gas revenues account for a significant portion of Russia's federal budget and are a primary source of financing for the ongoing war. Every tanker neutralized means reduced capacity to move sanctioned oil and reduced revenue flowing into the Kremlin's war chest.