Russia Carries Out ‘Analysis’ Of Maritime Vessels Near Its CoastPutin noted that Russia’s Defense Ministry has been instructed to prepare for any necessary response. Nine Russia-Linked Tankers Detained in 2026Just nine tankers transporting Russian oil have been detained by the United Kingdom and EU states since the beginning of 2026. Russia is thought to be operating 600 to 1,000 shadow tankers in its bid to circumvent Western sanctions and price caps introduced in a bid to damage Moscow’s war effort. A 2024 Atlantic Council report found that some 17 percent of all oil tankers are thought to be part of these shady operations at the behest of various regimes. The “shadow fleet” vessels were seized in January after a weeks-long pursuit across the Atlantic coordinated between the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.