Part 5/9:
The European nations have indicated suspicion towards Moscow, citing the technological sophistication of the drones and their flight patterns, which suggest military-grade equipment. Western analysts have long suspected that Russia’s shadow fleet is more than a conduit for sanctioned oil — it may also serve as a platform for electronic espionage, surveillance, and sabotage.
Russia’s Shadow Fleet: From Smuggling to Sabotage
Russia’s shadow fleet consists of hundreds of oil tankers that operate largely outside public scrutiny. These vessels often fly false flags from Liberia, Panama, and other jurisdictions, use transponders turned off, and carry fake manifests to obscure their routes — tactics designed to evade sanctions and maritime regulations.