According to a compilation from the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Russian shadow fleet has been seen in the country's waters almost daily last year. These are usually old tankers with unclear ownership that are suspected of transporting Russian oil and that could potentially be carrying weapons and dangerous chemicals.
The traffic takes place openly and is also considered part of Russian hybrid warfare, aimed at monitoring or sabotaging critical infrastructure.
Ships that are placed on sanctions lists have drastically reduced their activity, but experts say the measures are not yet enough to hurt the Russian economy. Oil revenues remain crucial to the country's war effort.
