ZANGAZUR

Since December 2022, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from the russian ports of Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Novorossiysk, using deceptive practices, including conducting shady activities near russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas.
In January-February 2025, the tanker transported 100,000 metric tons of crude oil originating from the sanctioned russian oil company Lukoil from the port of Primorsk to Turkey. The transportation was carried out under the command of Master Alexander Kolesnikov.
The tanker was included by USA sanctions authority in the list of vessels that pumped oil under the STS scheme intended for Syria in 2016-2019.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.