- First official NATO-linked acknowledgement of active protection.
- Russian naval presence expands across Baltic Sea lanes.
- Private security firms suspected onboard tankers.
Sweden’s Navy has confirmed that there are armed personnel in military uniforms aboard oil tankers associated with Russia’s shadow fleet operating in the Baltic Sea, as reported by SVT Nyheter, Sweden’s public-service news outlet, reports gCaptain.
First Official Military Acknowledgement
This marks the first time a NATO-affiliated military has officially acknowledged that Russia is actively safeguarding older tankers that are being used to bypass Western sanctions on crude oil exports.
“We have seen and received information that there are uniformed personnel aboard some of these shadow fleet vessels,” Petkovic stated.
Russian Navy Presence Near Shipping Lanes
The Russian military effort extends beyond personnel aboard tankers. The Russian Navy has established “a fairly constant presence” in specific areas adjacent to shipping lanes in the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Finland, and surrounding waters, according to the SVT report.
“Russian naval presence has become more permanent and present in large parts of the Baltic Sea,” Petkovic noted, adding that the Russian Navy “appears to be operating there in some way in support of this shadow fleet.”
Growing Reports of Threatening Situations
In recent months, there have been increasing reports about military-clad personnel on shadow fleet vessels. The latest claims came from Danish publication Danwatch, where maritime pilots recounted intimidating situations involving these vessels.
Broader Pattern of Russian Control at Sea
In March, an investigation by High North News uncovered that Russia’s Federal Security Service has been systematically taking control of the Yamal LNG Arc7 ice-class LNG carrier fleet. The report highlighted how Western officers have been replaced with Russian personnel since 2022, significantly diminishing foreign influence on the board.
Former crew members and internal documents revealed that tactics like intimidation, interrogation, and onboard informant networks were used to push out Western captains and senior officers, thereby consolidating Russian operational control.
Coast Guard Observations and Strategic Importance
Daniel Stenling, the deputy chief of operations at Sweden’s Coast Guard, confirmed that Russian naval vessels have been increasingly spotted in key offshore areas. While the Coast Guard hasn’t directly observed armed personnel on shadow fleet vessels, Stenling emphasised the fleet’s significance to Russia’s economy and its military efforts.
“We know that this is such an important activity for Russia, so we expect that various security measures have been taken and such things could very well be considered there,” he said.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: gCaptain
