The Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled yet another scheme through which russia was circumventing international sanctions. As a result of a complex of activities, a transnational criminal group has been dismantled. On russia’s behalf, it was involved in purchasing seagoing vessels for the aggressor state’s shadow fleet.

As the investigation established, the group included Ukrainian citizens and foreigners.

They sought out and purchased the necessary vessels in European countries, provided legal support for them, and recruited crews. Afterward, the ships sailed into the open sea, turned off their navigation and positioning equipment, and proceeded to a designated point in neutral waters. There, they were secretly transferred to the russian side.

russia uses these vessels for its oil industry as part of the so-called shadow fleet.

The Security Service documented how the dealers supplied the aggressor state with tugboats used to escort large-tonnage oil tankers as they entered port.

The SSU detained one of the group’s members who was in Ukraine. Computer equipment and smartphones containing evidence of the scheme were seized from him during the search.

The detainee has been notified of suspicion under Article 111-2.1 of the CCU (aiding an aggressor state).

The suspect faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The SSU continues its investigation into other participants in the scheme, including third-country nationals.

The operational and investigative actions were carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.