The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has published a list of 51 vessels that contribute to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
In the “Maritime Vessels” section of the War & Sanctions portal, a list of 51 ships has been published that Russia uses as a resource to fill its military coffers with oil revenues and to continue its aggression against Ukraine.
The update includes oil tankers that ensure the maritime export of Russian crude oil and petroleum products, as well as cargo vessels that cooperate with Russia and enter closed ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine — in particular Mariupol and Kerch.
Russia systematically uses maritime logistics not only to export energy resources but also to remove stolen Ukrainian assets — grain, ore, and coal. At the same time, Russia is attempting to integrate the occupied territories into its own economic system by opening Ukrainian ports to foreign vessels.
To conceal such activities, Russia employs schemes involving vessels sailing under the flags of third countries, including those that officially support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A key link in this logistics chain remains ship captains — it is they who possess full information about the origin and nature of cargoes, as well as the routes.
The Main Intelligence Directorate calls on states that, within the framework of the UN General Assembly, have affirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, to take measures to prevent and stop vessels flying their flags from entering closed seaports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
It also calls on the International Maritime Organization to appeal to all member states to comply with the regime of closed seaports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and to take appropriate measures against vessels that violate this regime; on flag states to strengthen control over the whereabouts of vessels to prevent them from entering the waters of closed ports in the occupied territories of Ukraine; and on partner countries to impose additional sanctions against Russian and foreign individuals, legal entities, and vessels involved in unlawful commercial activities in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Separately, the Main Intelligence Directorate addresses the crews of maritime vessels: participation in unlawful operations in Ukrainian ports constitutes complicity in aggression. The liability of ship captains for participation in Russian operations is inevitable.
