On July 11, 2025, Col. Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center, stated that attacking Russia's 'shadow fleet'—merchant vessels transporting fossil fuels while evading sanctions globally—could emerge as a new military tactic. This fleet enables Russia to bypass international sanctions and continue its fossil fuel exports. Kiviselg highlighted the growing importance of targeting these covert maritime logistics to disrupt the Russian economy and war effort. The Estonian Defense Forces monitors this shadow fleet closely as part of intelligence efforts to counter Russian hybrid warfare strategies.

On July 11, 2025, Col. Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center, stated that attacking Russia's 'shadow fleet'—merchant vessels transporting fossil fuels while evading sanctions globally—could emerge as a new military tactic. This fleet enables Russia to bypass international sanctions and continue its fossil fuel exports. Kiviselg highlighted the growing importance of targeting these covert maritime logistics to disrupt the Russian economy and war effort. The Estonian Defense Forces monitors this shadow fleet closely as part of intelligence efforts to counter Russian hybrid warfare strategies.