The Russian shadow fleet is a network of vessels used to export Russian oil while circumventing sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The broader term “shadow fleet” also refers to ships and maritime practices used to smuggle sanctioned goods.

Vessels in the network may use complex ownership and management structures, flags of convenience, and frequent changes of name. Tactics reported to obscure cargo origins include ship-to-ship transfers, disabling transponders and transmitting false data.

An International Institute for Strategic Studies report cited in news coverage said suspicious drones spotted over sensitive sites in NATO countries may have been launched from vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet. The report described this as a likelihood, not as proof that every drone sighting was linked to Russia or the fleet.