On 15 January 2025, an investigation by an oil trade analyst revealed that Russian and Western tankers have been repeatedly conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers in the middle of EU waters, enabling Moscow to continue oil exports despite international sanctions. This method involves covert mid-sea operations, where oil cargo is transferred from sanctioned Russian tankers to Western vessels, thereby obfuscating the origin of the oil and violating EU and international sanctions rules. These clandestine operations allow Russia to evade sanctions and sustain its energy revenue streams amid constraints. The analyst highlighted this as a deliberate sanction-busting tactic that undermines EU efforts. Such transfers are occurring under the radar, increasing enforcement challenges and environmental risks due to unregulated transfers at sea. The practice has been described as part of a broader 'shadow fleet' strategy to circumvent economic and financial pressures.

On 15 January 2025, an investigation by an oil trade analyst revealed that Russian and Western tankers have been repeatedly conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers in the middle of EU waters, enabling Moscow to continue oil exports despite international sanctions. This method involves covert mid-sea operations, where oil cargo is transferred from sanctioned Russian tankers to Western vessels, thereby obfuscating the origin of the oil and violating EU and international sanctions rules. These clandestine operations allow Russia to evade sanctions and sustain its energy revenue streams amid constraints. The analyst highlighted this as a deliberate sanction-busting tactic that undermines EU efforts. Such transfers are occurring under the radar, increasing enforcement challenges and environmental risks due to unregulated transfers at sea. The practice has been described as part of a broader 'shadow fleet' strategy to circumvent economic and financial pressures.