Since late November 2025, Ukraine has launched a series of successful uncrewed surface vessel water-borne IED attacks targeting Russia-linked oil tankers in the Black Sea and adjacent maritime areas. Most of the targeted vessels were sailing under foreign flags; however, all were reportedly listed in European registries as vessels associated with Russia’s so-called “Shadow Fleet.”
In the Russian context, the term “Shadow Fleet” has been used since 2022, following the imposition of Euro-Atlantic restrictions on the maritime transport of Russian oil after the invasion of Ukraine. In response, Russia has sought to circumvent these measures through the use of aging tankers, frequent changes of flag and ownership, and other methods.
These attacks indicate a qualitative escalation in the maritime confrontation in the Black Sea, with Ukraine continuing to pursue active measures aimed at constraining oil-derived revenues flowing into the Russian state budget. At the same time, the sustained pressure further restricts Russia’s naval posture, reinforcing a largely defensive operational pattern and underscoring the asymmetry between Ukraine’s evolving maritime strike capabilities and Russia’s limited progress in comparable systems.
Get the full report
If you would like to get the full report, leave your details in the form below.
Please be advised we can only send reports to validated government organizations.
