Russia is significantly expanding its shadow fleet to include liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, according to a report by the Financial Times.
This development marks a strategic shift in Moscow's efforts to circumvent Western sanctions, moving beyond crude oil and refined products to target the global LNG market.
The expansion suggests that Russian energy exports are becoming more diversified and harder to track through traditional shipping channels.
The move into LNG complicates the enforcement landscape for Western nations.
While previous sanctions have focused heavily on oil, the LNG sector involves different infrastructure, trading hubs, and regulatory frameworks.
By adding LNG carriers to its shadow fleet, Russia aims to maintain revenue streams from its energy sector despite international pressure.