Tensions in the Baltic Sea have reached a new level after the Swedish Navy officially confirmed the presence of Russian armed personnel on board tankers belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet.” This statement was a direct response to Russia’s actions to protect its oil shipments in the region.
Captain Marko Petkovic, head of operations for the Swedish Navy, said in an interview with Swedish media: “We are observing armed personnel in military uniform on some tankers belonging to the ‘shadow fleet’. In addition, Russian military ships are increasingly escorting ships in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.” According to him, this indicates that Russia is conducting a special operation to protect authorized oil shipments.
The “shadow fleet” is a network of old tankers flying the flags of third countries, used by Russia to export oil in circumvention of Western sanctions imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A significant portion of these vessels pass through the Baltic Sea from Russian ports such as Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
The Swedish side is concerned not only about sanctions, but also about security risks: old ships without adequate insurance pose a threat of environmental disaster, and suspicions of sabotage of underwater cables and communication lines have led to increased patrolling. Since January 2025, NATO has stepped up its Baltic Sentry operation, which includes increased surveillance of suspicious vessels.
In response, Russia has stepped up its protective measures. Russian warships from the Baltic Fleet regularly escort tanker convoys, and armed groups—possibly private security guards or military personnel—have been spotted on board some vessels. “This demonstrates the particular importance of the ‘shadow fleet’ for Russia and the additional security measures,” Petkovic noted.
Experts fear further escalation. Incidents involving damage to underwater infrastructure, mutual accusations, and increased military presence on both sides are turning the Baltic Sea into a high-risk zone. Sweden, as a new NATO member, is actively participating in joint patrols, including the deployment of corvettes and Gripen fighter jets. The region, once considered relatively calm, has now become an arena for hybrid confrontation, where economic sanctions are intertwined with military maneuvers.