russia’s shadow fleet is using Starlink to circumvent sanctions

This helps russia circumvent sanctions and continue oil shipments to fund a full-scale war against Ukraine.

This is according to an investigation by the Kyiv Independent.

The publication’s journalists spoke to two Ukrainian sailors who claim they unwittingly became part of a global russian scheme to transport oil in circumvention of sanctions. They, along with two other sources who worked on ships in the shadow fleet, confirmed that tankers and their owners often communicate using Western technology — satellite phones and Starlink terminals.

One crew member explained that it is currently difficult to purchase Starlink in Ukraine, whereas in other countries it can be ordered through a intermediary company and received by post.

Vladislav Vlasyuk, the Ukrainian President’s representative on sanctions policy, commenting on the findings of the investigation, stated that SpaceX — the company that operates Starlink — must stop the shadow fleet from using its terminals.

“Any activity by russia’s shadow fleet effectively funds the war against Ukraine. If Starlink is being used to evade sanctions or circumvent maritime safety rules, this is unacceptable,” he said.

Vlasyuk added that russia is deliberately using GPS spoofing to conceal its vessels. This disrupts navigation systems and poses a threat to other vessels. According to him, using Starlink for its own operations against this backdrop is hypocritical.

‘We expect SpaceX to give this matter careful consideration and take steps to prevent the use of Starlink by shadow fleets from any country, including russia, Venezuela or Iran,’ said Vlasyuk.

For a long time, the russian military used unauthorised access to Starlink to control drones and other military equipment in the occupied territories of Ukraine. In February 2026, the Ukrainian government, in collaboration with SpaceX, blocked this capability by introducing mandatory registration and a ‘whitelist’ system. However, there have been no previous reports of Starlink being used on vessels in russia’s shadow fleet.

Source: Suspilne, Kyiv Independent