VETLUGA

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, making STS transmissions with russian affiliations). The tanker is involved in an established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries by conducting STS transmissions in the area near European countries, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which has been in the area near Greece since July 2024, Cyprus, has been acting as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries.
The tanker makes calls at the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, in particular, in February 2025, it called at the port of Kamysh-Burun.
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which in 2022-2023 was among the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions, and Plutos Ship Management, an Indian company associated with Gatik Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, and other companies, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions.
Tankers operated by Gatik Ship Management and transferred to other companies continue to export russian crude oil/petroleum products.
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.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.