Russia floats navy response to ‘shadow fleet’ crackdown, and Europe may not like the next step

Russia is signaling it is prepared to deploy naval forces to protect its fleet of oil tankers, warning that any attempt by European nations to seize them would be met with retaliation. As reported by The Guardian, the comments mark a sharp escalation in tensions over sanctions enforcement.

Nikolai Patrushev, head of Russia’s maritime board and a former FSB director, said the navy should be ready to counter what he described as “western piracy.” He argued that any blockade of Russian vessels would violate international law and rejected the term “shadow fleet” as lacking legal standing.

Speaking to the Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty, Patrushev warned that if the dispute cannot be resolved peacefully, the navy would act. “If this situation cannot be resolved peacefully, the navy will break any blockade and move to eliminate it,” he said, adding that Russia could also scrutinize vessels sailing under European flags and examine their cargo and destinations.

Europe weighs stronger action as Moscow signals retaliation

The so-called “shadow fleet” refers to an estimated 1,500 aging or lightly regulated oil tankers operating under opaque ownership structures. The vessels have been used to export Russian crude to buyers such as India and China while navigating western sanctions, and Iran nuclear talks are also unfolding in Geneva. The EU, the UK, and the US have sanctioned more than 600 of these ships in an effort to curb Moscow’s oil revenues.

Patrushev’s warning comes as political pressure grows within Europe to take more direct action against the tankers. British defense secretary John Healey recently discussed potential seizure strategies with European counterparts on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Western governments have largely relied on sanctions, insurance restrictions, and inspections to disrupt the fleet’s operations. Officials have also debated whether vessels lacking proper documentation could be treated as stateless ships, which would expand the legal basis for intervention at sea, alongside Spain’s child safety probe developments in Europe’s broader regulatory agenda.

There have already been limited interventions. Earlier this year, the French navy briefly intercepted a tanker suspected of being linked to the shadow fleet before allowing it to continue. The United States has taken more aggressive steps in recent months, interdicting and seizing tankers carrying sanctioned oil from Russia, Venezuela, and Iran.

Patrushev’s remarks appeared to focus primarily on Europe rather than Washington. Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials are expected to meet in Geneva for a new round of talks brokered by the Trump administration, with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaching.