Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko
As the third full year of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine approaches its end, the global community faces escalating challenges, including economic instability, energy insecurity and violations of international norms and principles.
A critical issue exacerbating these crises is the operation of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," a network of clandestine vessels that evades international maritime law to transport oil, gas and other goods, directly funding Russia's war machine.
By circumventing sanctions, these operations undermine global trade integrity and create substantial environmental and safety risks.
Aging tankers on the verge of collapse increase the likelihood of oil spills and maritime disasters, while uninsured vessels complicate accountability in case of accidents.
The shadow fleet poses serious maritime security threats, as vessels frequently disable their transponders, violating International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and thus endangering global shipping routes.
These practices harm not only the environment but put at a disadvantage reputable shipping and logistics companies, which suffer financial losses and operational disruptions.
The shadow fleet also serves as a spy platform, and is used for sabotage activities in the interests of the aggressor state.
Russia's shadow fleet transports about 90 percent of Russian oil. As a result, in just 11 months last year, Moscow earned $180 billion from exporting oil and petroleum products.
The revenues generated directly finance Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, exacerbating humanitarian and economic hardships. Meanwhile, Russia's persistent use of energy blackmail contributes to broader geopolitical instability.
For South Korea, a nation so reliant on maritime trade and energy imports, these risks might be particularly concerning. Disruptions in shipping routes or accidents involving shadow fleet vessels could inflate costs, while Russia's weaponization of energy exports threatens supply chains vital for South Korea's economic stability.
Furthermore, Russia's blatant violations of U.N. sanctions, including the exchange of oil for North Korean troops and weapons, fuel its war in Ukraine and escalate security risks on the Korean Peninsula and in the entire Indo-Pacific region.
The first documented oil transfer between Russia and North Korea was on March 7, 2024, seven months after reports emerged of Pyongyang supplying weapons to Moscow. In total, Russia is estimated to have provided North Korea with more than a million barrels of oil in 2024, twice the annual U.N.-established cap. This steady oil flow gives North Korea a level of stability it hasn't had since sanctions were imposed.
Kim Jong-un is receiving higher-quality oil directly from Russia, likely as quid pro quo for munitions. A million barrels is a negligible volume for a large oil producer like Russia but substantial for Pyongyang.
While most of the North Korean population relies on coal, oil helps keep the country's military run — fueling missile launchers, troops transport, munition factories etc.
North Korean-flagged tankers, often with trackers disabled, have almost weekly shuttled between Russia's Vostochny port and ports of North Korea. Many of them are on the U.N.'s 1718 Designated Vessels List, a designation which should prevent flagging and port entry, as well as freeze assets related to the ships.
This blatant disregard for U.N. sanctions is particularly striking given Russia's role as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
In March 2024, just three weeks after the first documented oil transfer to North Korea, Russia used its veto to disband the U.N. panel overseeing relevant sanctions enforcement.
The urgency of the decisive international measures is clear. Governments must tighten sanctions to prevent their circumvention via the shadow fleet and ensure perpetrators face tangible consequences.
Ukraine and its international partners propose to reduce the price cap on Russian oil to $30 per barrel, impose sanctions on captains of shadow fleet vessels and crewing companies, strengthen control over tanker insurance compliance and leverage mechanisms to restrict the passage of tankers blacklisted under international port control memoranda.
Recent sanctions imposed last month by the by the United States and the United Kingdom have reportedly halted dozens of ships, with Chinese and Indian ports also refusing them entry.
Addressing Russia's shadow fleet is essential to restoring global shipping integrity and preventing aggressor states from exploiting illicit networks to fuel their wars.
Stronger international cooperation, decisive targeted sanctions and enhanced enforcement are critical to upholding maritime security and global stability.
Only through persistent and coordinated efforts can the international community effectively counter the shadow fleet and its far-reaching consequences.
Dmytro Ponomarenko, ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Korea, contributed this article in time for the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.