The Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia, using a variety of methods to collect and analyze information in the field of maritime logistics and transportation, has begun an investigation into the activities of the Russian shadow fleet. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the shadow fleet has become an important tool for circumventing international sanctions. A network of aging oil tankers, poorly monitored and regulated, often uninsured and sailing under false or unknown flags, generates tens of billions of dollars in additional revenue for Russia each year, which it spends on military aggression.
The focus of our analysis is to expose and deanonymize the direct participants in the circumvention of sanctions, since these people are deliberately involved in schemes that directly finance Russia’s illegal and aggressive war against Ukraine and its preparation for military aggression against other European countries.
Such investigations and further personal accountability for these individuals should demonstrate that assisting in Russian military aggression will inevitably have its consequences. Another key point of our research is the uncovering of sanctions-busting infrastructure directly within EU countries and the facilitation of equally serious consequences for those individuals who provide it while physically located within their territory.
This presentation reveals the first part of the results. We have established a direct link between two important figures, Captains Ivan Nikiforov and Alexander Kolesnikov, who are involved in the logistics supporting the Russian military machine. This previously unpublished information exposes specific individuals helping the Kremlin evade sanctions and facilitate the profitable exploitation of the conflict by disguising their activities behind anonymous tankers owned by shadowy entities.
The Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia continues its systematic work to identify individuals and legal entities who bear a large share of responsibility for the Russian Federation’s ability to continue to commit war crimes and prepare to commit new ones.
