The “shadow fleet” used by Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to bypass Western sanctions and ship oil to buyers including China and India is rapidly growing in size and danger. Russia is now even raising its flag on some former shadow fleet tankers, openly challenging Europe. These ageing tankers are owned in secret and flagged under dubious registrations. This year saw several maritime seizures aimed at enforcing sanctions. The US sank its teeth into the shadow fleet with special forces rappelling from helicopters to board the tanker Skipper near Venezuela, targeted for smuggling for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah. Recently, the US seized another merchant oil ship off Venezuela, even though it wasn’t officially sanctioned. Estonia and France also stopped suspected Russian shadow fleet ships, while Ukraine used drones to attack Russian tankers involved in sanctions evasion, including a recent strike in neutral Mediterranean waters off Libya. A Ukrainian security source called it a “new, unprecedented special operation” far from Ukraine’s borders. Experts warn that Russia’s willingness to use military assets to protect these ships raises the risks of confrontation. Gonzalo Saiz Erausquin from the Royal United Services Institute said the shadow fleet exploded to 900-1,200 vessels after Russia’s 2022 war on Ukraine. These ships are secondhand and often controlled by secretive companies ready for illicit activities. The shadow fleet relies on fake flag registrations and shady brokers. The tanker Boracay is a prime example. It was flagged fraudulently several times and blacklisted for transporting Russian oil illegally. It was even investigated for possible use in drone attacks on Copenhagen’s airport. Countries fighting the shadow fleet use laws on ship safety and insurance to clamp down, but US enforcement has grown aggressive, including plans for a blockade against sanctioned ships visiting Venezuela. France has also promised to block suspicious vessels in European waters. An incident in May where Estonia intercepted a tanker caused a Russian jet to enter Estonian airspace, showing Moscow’s readiness to defend the fleet as a strategic asset. The European Policy Centre highlights threats the fleet poses beyond oil smuggling, including drone attacks and infrastructure sabotage. Despite tough talk, analysts say Europe is wary of direct naval fights with Russia, unlike the US actions near Venezuela. The shadow fleet thrives partly because major Russian oil firms like Rosneft and Lukoil avoid sanctions, and countries like India and China still import Russian oil in large amounts. Recent EU sanctions target businessmen and companies linked to the fleet, but the network continues to grow. Lloyd’s List reporter Tomer Raanan exposed over 20 fake flag registration websites used to disguise ships' identities. He said that as long as profits from sanctions-busting oil outweigh the risks, this illicit trade will continue.