Investigation: Russian Mercenaries Disguised as Security Personnel Escort Shadow Fleet Oil Tankers
By
Dariia Mykhailenko
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
A cross-border investigation by 13 media outlets, including Dossier, The Times, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, reveals that from spring 2025, Russian mercenaries linked to the Wagner Group have been deployed to escort oil tankers in Russia's "shadow fleet," officially listed as "security personnel." The investigation accessed crew lists of over 2,000 vessels sanctioned by the US and EU, as well as ships in Ukraine's database, exposing the use of mercenaries to protect oil shipments evading international sanctions.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledFrom spring 2025, Russian mercenaries have been deployed to escort tankers operating within Russia's so-called shadow fleet, while being officially listed as 'security personnel.'
The 'Dossier' centre obtained access to crew lists covering more than 2,000 vessels that have been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union.
The investigation involved 13 media outlets, including the 'Dossier' investigation centre, The Times and Süddeutsche Zeitung.
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