According to an analysis published on October 14 by the Kyiv Institute of Economics (KSE), 70% of Russia’s seaborne oil exports are transported by its “shadow fleet” – a collection of old and poorly insured tankers.
The report’s findings show how Moscow has successfully avoided the West’s efforts to stifle oil revenues by imposing the $60 per barrel price cap two years ago.
The G7 announced the cap in late-2022 as a way to reduce Russian fossil fuel profits that feed Moscow’s war on Ukraine while minimizing the impact on the global oil markets.
KSE Institute report: To circumvent this restriction Russia has invested $10 billion to expand its shadow fleet from 2022.
In the first half 2024, it is reported that almost 75% of Russian oil shipped by sea was transported through northern European waters, including the Danish Straits, the English Channel, and the English Channel. Approximately 60% of this oil was carried by shadow tanks that were, on average 18 years old.
The Ukraine-based thinktank highlighted the environmental risks posed to the environment by shadow tankers. These vessels are often uninsured, and they are aging. This increases the risk of oil spills.
Bloomberg reported in September, that experienced Danish pilots are often rejected by tankers when they navigate the dangerous shipping straits of the country. This increases the risk.
The KSE Institute has called for a coordinated strategy to combat Russia’s shadow navy to “protect the environmental and ensure overall maritime security in coalition waters.” The report suggested several concrete steps including mandatory insurance disclosures for vessels in the waters of the price cap coalition.
The coalition should also work closely with “flag states”, i.e., the nations under which the vessels chooses to sail. This can be done through diplomatic channels or commercial incentives in order to ensure that they comply with international regulations.
The KSE Institute recommends that tankers who do not follow these regulations be sanctioned. “Coalition countries should also have the authority to stop any vessels posing an immediate risk to the environment or safety,” it said.
Since late 2023, the U.S. and other Western partners have imposed additional sanctions on tankers and companies that evade the price cap.
The think tank stated that sanctions against the shadow fleet had not affected global oil prices, and that Russia was unlikely to reduce production. The report concluded that the proposed measures would only cause minimal disruptions on global markets.
Pavlo Rozlach said that the commander of Ukraine’s 80th air assault brigade, Pavlo, had a Ukrainian company sneak into Kursk Oblast and hide in the forest in groups of six soldiers.
According to an analysis published on October 14 by the Kyiv Institute of Economics (KSE), 70% of Russia’s seaborne exports are transported by its “shadow fleet” of older, poorly insured tankers.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that “there can be no appeasement of Russia when it continues to try and solve the ‘problem,’ of Ukraine’s existence.”
The EU’s new sanctions list includes individuals and entities that are responsible for the transfer of drones and rockets to Russia.
Oleh Kiper, Governor of Odesa Oblast, said that the attack damaged two civilian ships — NS Moon flying a Belizean flag and the Palauan flagged OPTIMA. The Russians targeted the latter on October 7 last week.
Voloshyn, when asked by the Kyiv independent about the alleged seizure Levadne said that the situation is “developing quite dynamically”, and each side can regain the leadership.
The official told Argumenty i Fakty (a Kremlin-controlled outlet) that the number includes 12,328 people who are placed in temporary facilities throughout Russia, and around 100,000 people who live with family and friends.
Mykhailo Podolyak, the presidential advisor to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), told them in comments published on October 14 that Ukraine’s victory plans include a request for more ATACMS missiles and Storm Shadows as well as permission to launch them against military targets in Russia.
The lull was caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine in September with over 1,300 Shahed Kamikaze drones, which targeted settlements all across the country every day for a month. This daily pattern has continued into the first days in October.
Over 2,000 military personnel will be involved in the two-week exercises, as well as 60 aircraft from eight bases. The drills will take place over the airspace of Denmark, the U.K. and the North Sea in Belgium and the Netherlands. Thirteen NATO countries will send aircraft to participate.
Regional authorities reported on October 14 that Russian attacks against Ukraine have killed five people and injured another eight in the past day.
“It is not in the interests of our nations or those around us to stall progress on reducing nuclear weapons.” Joe Biden, President of the United States, said that reducing the nuclear threat was important not because of the dangers in today’s world, but precisely because of those dangers.
First, it is important to appeal to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, to stop attacking civilian targets on Ukrainian soil. The German opposition leader said that if Moscow doesn’t concede, Ukraine should have the freedom to use weapons it has already received without restrictions.
Ukraine’s military intelligence reported that “such Soviet aircraft are used in particular to transport the Russian Defense Ministry leadership.”
The statement comes two days after German Foreign Ministry Annalenna Bärbock said that Russian president Vladimir Putin is not willing speak with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding brokering peace in Ukraine.
This includes 1,260 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
In a recent comment to a Russian journalist, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said that recent changes in Russia’s nuclear weapon policy were long overdue, and would likely “cool down the ardor of Western nations.”
Hungarian Prime Minster Viktor Orban prepares to make a significant concession to former US President Donald Trump. This could allow him to avoid a $50 billion loan meant to support Ukraine during its ongoing war against Russia.
The Sumy Oblast Military Administration announced on October 13 that nearly 37,000 people, including 6,400 children, have been evacuated. They are continuing to work to evacuate additional residents under expanded mandatory orders.
Video footage from the scene shows officers standing outside the doors of the venue intercepting male concertgoers as they exit the venue. Some men are seen being arrested by officers.
Der Spiegel reported that the government is currently in “serious discussion” about abandoning its goal of full territorial restoration.
“We are witnessing an increasing alliance between Russia, and regimes such as North Korea. It’s not just about transferring arms. It is about transferring North Koreans to the occupying forces.
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